Scaling Talent Pipelines through the MARC Pre-Apprenticeship

Bridging the gap between high school interest and a career-ready Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) remains a critical challenge for Michigan’s workforce development. The Michigan Apprenticeship Readiness Certification (MARC) serves as the "quality stamp" that solves this by validating that students possess the foundational skills necessary for day-one success. This panel brings together three distinct perspectives—a labor leader, a major private employer, and a K-12 ISD coordinator—to showcase how the MARC endorsement is being used to build sustainable, high-value talent pipelines. Attendees will learn how MARC Level I and Level II endorsements reduce recruitment costs, provide students with credit for prior learning, and create a seamless transition from the classroom to the job site. Define the difference between MARC Level I (Industry Ready) and Level II (Occupation Ready) and the specific benefits of each