Career Pathways and Apprenticeable Careers and Occupations

In an effort to help students research, explore, and understand the many different occupation and career options available, the state of Michigan have adopted the Career Pathway system. Like the apprenticeship system of training, Pathways helps create a well-defined "path" of education and training activities leading to the obtainment of a specific occupation or career goal. The Pathway System provides student's learning experiences with organization, direction, and focus. It also encourages students to remain "goal oriented" and gives purpose and meaning to learning, which makes school and classes more relevant and interesting.

The Career Pathway system recognizes 6 Career Paths. They include:

• Arts & Communications
• Business, Management, Marketing, & Technology
• Engineering, Manufacturing, & Industrial Technology
• Heath Sciences
• Human Services
• Natural Resources & Agriscience

Career Pathways, along with Michigan's Career Preparation System work to assist students in exploring different occupations and careers, making informed and educated career choices, and selecting the education and training opportunities that will most likely result in the successful obtainment of a career goal.

STRA Programs offer formal, structured, and organized education and training opportunities for many different occupations and careers represented in each of the six Career Pathways. For many occupations, apprenticeship training may be the only formal education and training option available. For others, apprenticeship training may be one of several education and training opportunities, but most likely the only formal program combining both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Apprenticeship programs, including STRA Programs, must include:

• A Work Process Schedule: List of all on-the-job training tasks and skills to be learned, and the number of hours that will be spent learning and mastering each skill,
• Related Technical Instruction: List of occupational classes or courses that must be successfully completed,
• Progressive Wage Scale: Starting wage, ending wage, and the schedule of wage increases based upon number of hours completed.

Listed in this section are samples of apprenticeable occupations from each of the six Career Pathways and the Work Process Schedule, Related Technical Instruction, and Progressive Wage Scale for each. Simply "click on" to the occupational program you wish to review.

Remember that STRA Programs provide students with the type of organized, structured, and formal education and training associated with career preparation activities and successfully pursuing and completing a Career Path.

To learn about STRA, click on any item below and you will get information regarding:

• The Apprenticeship System of Training
• STRA and Michigan's Career Preparation System
• Program Benefits and Commitments
• Program Requirements for Students and Employers
• The STRA Program Student "Selection Process"
• Student Apprentice Summer & School Year Program Activities
• Program Completion and Nationally Recognized Credentials
• Career Pathways
  
  • Apprenticeable Careers and Occupations
• STRA Program Coordinators and Contacts
• STRA Program Resources, Activities, and Updates
• 50 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Apprenticeships