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CRADLE TO CAREER The AAC promotes the institution of education; it is the
Apprenticeship Opportunities This program model includes quality paid apprenticeship training and employment, mentorship and career navigation,
catalyst of career pathways for black youth and adults, as well
and support services to address barriers such as reliable
as mentors and interns. As a foundational platform, the AAC
transportation and childcare subsidies.
promotes the advancement of serving the urban youth and families of Battle Creek. In partnership with a number of key agencies, The AAC
The long-term outcomes of the project include the ability to: 1) Increase the diversity of workers in the construction trades, 2) Increase the demand side for workers by linking workforce
aims to ensure that every child and young adult succeeds,
development with redevelopment activities, and 3) Raise the bar
cradle to career, through shared purpose, alignment, and
on the construction pre-apprenticeship pathway to allow
accountability among community partners.
participants to meet the entry level requirements for registered
We cannot expect children to succeed academically if they are on an unstable foundation. Every child deserves to have
apprenticeship programs in various trades and other building trades employment options.
access to the resources they need to be successful in school. By working together and engaging the entire community, we are
Program services are based on:
able to inform our networks of the needs of our entire community
1) Proposed Performance Metrics - Number of students
and invest beyond the existing programs, schools, and child-
in apprenticeship programs, completion rate for
based initiatives.
education and training programs, placement rate in local jobs, job retention after 6 months, and
Our desired outcomes include: 1) Increase graduation and retention in the African American community, 2) Increase kindergarten readiness and 3rd grade proficiency, and 3) Increase postsecondary education, certification, and professional development.
increased wages over 6 months. 2) Objective - Our approach to workforce development is to utilize our redevelopment projects and land assets as opportunities to increase the number of jobs and revitalize the neighborhood. 3) Target Population - This would accelerate the number of disconnected young adults, those not working or attending school, 18-24 years of age, and
We are committed to ensuring that high school
underemployed adults who are not only on a path to
graduates, have multiple education and career pathways,
a family supporting wage career but who also possess
including post-secondary certifications, 4-year college, skill
the skills to work on neighborhood and regional
trades and apprenticeship opportunities.
redevelopment projects.
