Waterford Today

Global technology and services provider Bosch and associate Arin Minasian were honored this week with a Michigan Works! Association Impact Award, recognizing the company's commitment to workforce development and its collaboration with Oakland County Michigan Works!

In need of a new type of talent pipeline, Bosch in Farmington Hills, Mich., launched an innovative IoT (Internet of Things) apprenticeship program for software application developers, with a focus on on-the-job training and mentoring. The program's first five apprentices graduated from the program in 2021, with eight new apprentices in the program this year. Minasian, who previously worked in the banking industry in California, seized the opportunity to switch careers and moved to Michigan to participate in the apprenticeship program, with his family joining him later in the year. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter recently highlighted both the apprenticeship program and Minasian in his State of the County speech.

"A highly skilled workforce is among the most important attributes a county can offer when attracting new businesses and Bosch is leading the way in nurturing such talent through its application developer apprenticeship program," said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. "Arin's learning journey exemplifies how hard work and a drive to succeed can culminate in a new, rewarding career with limitless possibilities."   

The IoT apprenticeship program lasts approximately 12 months. It is competency based, with apprentices required to complete specific learning hours and on-the-job training that has been designed to ensure they are developing the skills and competencies necessary to be a software application developer in the mobility field. Apprentices learn and grow professionally with project work, job shadowing, intensive training and individual mentoring.

Oakland County Michigan Works! provided Bosch with funds to pay apprentice wages, as well as other supportive services to qualifying participants. For example, Arin did not have transportation when he first moved to Michigan, so Oakland County Michigan Works! purchased a bicycle for him to make the five-mile trek to work each day. 

Jennifer Llewellyn, director, Oakland County Michigan Works!, said Bosch is a role model for other employers across the region facing talent shortages.

"We supported Bosch because of its commitment to apprenticeships, which are expanding well beyond the skilled trades into a range of industries," Llewellyn said.  "Bosch hired individuals with limited previous software experience and gave them the opportunity to become part of a high-demand industry in Oakland County with room for growth. This is a win for everyone involved."

Chris Morgan, who leads the IoT apprenticeship program for Bosch in North America, said the employer is equally pleased with the relationship with Oakland County Michigan Works! and success with the program.

"We think this apprenticeship program reflects the strength of the relationship we've built with Oakland County Michigan Works! and our joint commitment to talent development," Morgan said. "Our recent apprenticeship graduate Arin is a great example of what partnership like this can accomplish for job seekers and employers."

State Representative Samantha Steckloff, representing Michigan's 37th District, recognized Bosch and Oakland County Michigan Works! during the Impact Awards event.

"I'm proud of companies like Bosch who partner with Michigan Works! to further the education of residents and provide them with excellent career opportunities," she said. "I'm also so grateful to Oakland County Michigan Works! for its continued commitment to understanding the unique needs of employers and job seekers in our community and helping them succeed."

Oakland County Michigan Works! launched the Advantage: Apprenticeships program in 2021 to provide employers with more than $500,000 of wage and training assistance to hire apprentices, as well as other services to eligible participants to overcome work barriers.  

Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford, where they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information.

The service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking help with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.

Service center staffs are available in-person or by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a meeting, call 248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. The service centers are hosting several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at OaklandCountyMIWorks.com. 

Original source can be found here.