Detroit Area Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts

Detroit Area Talent Development Successes Honored by State Leaders, Workforce Experts 

Local Lawmakers Celebrate Local Talent, Talent Pipeline Efforts in Detroit  

LANSING, MI (March 24, 2022)— Detroit area talent development and employment successes were among those celebrated by state leaders at the Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards this week. 

Local lawmakers and statewide talent development officials gathered virtually, and in-person, on Thursday, March 24 to recognize Kappen Tree Service, Detroit resident DeMarcus Cleveland, DTE Energy, IBEW Local 17, Focus: HOPE, U.S. Truck Driver Training School, Detroit at Work, and Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) for their commitment to recruit Detroit residents to a new apprenticeship program that creates robust, skilled trades career opportunities.  

Cleveland is a lifelong Detroiter, husband of five years and a father of two kids, with another on the way. He left his career of six years as a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier to pursue a stable, skilled-trades career to provide for his family. Cleveland came to DESC for assistance in finding a job in the skilled trades. 

Through Detroit at Work, DESC assisted Cleveland with the sign-up process and provided funding for him to take part in the DTE/IBEW Tree Trim Academy, of which Cleveland is now a graduate who is working in a full-time position with Kappen Tree Service and has started his union apprenticeship. 

“The Tree Trim Academy equips Detroiters with the skills they will need for high-paying and in-demand skilled trades careers,” said President of DESC Terri Weems. “It also provides them a direct pathway to financial and socio-economic growth and stability. For many participants these have been life-changing opportunities and, with more cohorts planned, there will be further opportunities for Detroiters to take part.” 

Detroit at Work partnered with DTE Energy, IBEW Local 17, Focus: HOPE and U.S. Truck Driver Training School (USDTS) to engage and recruit City of Detroit residents, including Cleveland, to join DTE’s newly opened Tree Trim Academy that upskills and trains those seeking a union, skilled trades career in Line Clearance Tree Trimming. 

"Tree Trim jobs bring prosperity to people who pursue them and also offer a strong pipeline to opportunities such as overhead line work,” said CEO of DTE Energy Jerry Norcia. “And I can tell you, these are really high-paying jobs that allow people to provide nicely for their families.” 

Upon completion of the DTE/IBEW Tree Trim Academy, graduates begin their IBEW apprenticeship with a starting wage of $15.92 per hour, which quickly jumps to almost $18 per hour within their first 500 hours on the job. A tree trim apprenticeship takes between two and two-and-a-half years to complete, at which time, journeyman tree trimmers make $29 per hour with full union benefits for themselves and their families. 

“Congratulations to Kappen Tree Service, DeMarcus Cleveland, DTE Energy, IBEW Local 17, Focus: HOPE, U.S. Truck Driver Training School, Detroit at Work, and DESC on winning the Impact Award,” said Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit).  “So many of our families are struggling right now and putting more Detroiters to work or in better paying jobs is a positive step for our communities.  I am hopeful to see continued efforts to hire more Detroiters. Tree-trimming is a critical job right now for our communities as we continue to face extreme weather events, caused by climate change, that lead to massive power outages. These training programs are so important in making sure we have the workforce to handle this growing concern to help our neighborhoods and, at the same time, put people to work in good-paying jobs.” 

The Impact Awards hosted by Michigan Works! Association recognizes economic development success being achieved in communities across Michigan. During the event, local lawmakers present tributes to dozens of honorees from across the state. 

Award winners included employers, workers, Michigan Works! organizations, and partners. 

“Congratulations to DeMarcus and this group of partners on winning this prestigious award,” said Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lapeer County). “Kappen Tree Service started in 1990 as a family business out of the back of a pickup truck and has evolved in present day to a multiple fleet business.  It’s partnerships like these that help great family-owned businesses in our state grow and continue to succeed.” 

Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) echoed Sen. Daley’s sentiments. 

“DeMarcus is an example of what collaboration looks like,” said Rep. Green. “Kappen Tree Service, specifically Warren Kappen, represents all of the qualities that make the Thumb a great place to work, live and recreate.” 

The Michigan Works! Association is a non-profit membership organization that provides services and support to Michigan’s talent eco-system. For over 30 years, the Association has been the go-to resource for federal, state, and local workforce initiatives.  

The Association’s work ensures top-quality services and support for Michigan’s talent pipeline. For more information, please visit michiganworks.org.  

Find the nearest Michigan Works! American Job Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675). 

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