Lansing Community College introduces First Responder apprenticeship program

Lansing Community College's Health and Human Services Division, in partnership with the Lansing Fire Department and Capital Area Michigan Works!, has introduced a new First Responder Apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program will be available through the school’s EMT Academy, which functions through funding from the Department of Labor Strengthening Community College grant and from the Workforce Development Institute.

According to an article on Lansing Community College’s website, Jacob Callahan, who serves as the director of the EMS program at Lansing Community College, was quoted as saying of the value of apprenticeship programs like those offered through the school’s EMT Academy, “EMS is a rewarding career for individuals with a passion for service. These apprenticeship programs afford our students the opportunity to pursue that passion supported by the community they aim to serve.”

The new First Responder apprenticeship program will give individuals who are already serving as firefighters the opportunity to partake in Emergency Medical Technician training to bolster their skill sets and become even more valuable first responders. 

Dr. Will Emerson, who serves as the Director of Apprenticeships and External Partnerships at Lansing Community College, said, “This popular earn-as-you-learn model combines employer input, mentoring, and on-the-job training with a structured education plan. The result is a flexible, cross-trained first responder capable of handling a wide range of emergency situations.”

Apprenticeships in general can be extremely beneficial to those who want to enter the workforce and gain specialized knowledge and skills, and for employers, who will be able to hire individuals who may be retained in their positions at a higher rate. The Apprenticeship and Business Services Officer for Capital Area Michigan Works!, Jay LaNew, said, “Capital Area Michigan Works! has seen an increased interest in apprenticeships from Emergency Medical Service providers in our region, and we have partnered with Lansing Community College to assist these agencies in exploring and developing Registered Apprenticeship programs.”

The EMT Academy at Lansing Community College has proven beneficial for students and employers alike. Both the college as a whole and those in charge of the EMT Academy strive to provide opportunities for students who may need additional support, like first-generation college students, veterans, and those who are economically disadvantaged. Employers, such as the Lansing Fire Department, are also reaping the rewards. Ralph Ortiz, who serves as the Chief of EMS Operations for the Lansing Fire Department, shared, “Right now, Lansing Fire has 14 recruits in the LCC EMT Academy. All of them are funded by the SCC/WDI funding which has saved us significant financial resources. Not only have we seen monetary savings, but the funding has allowed us to send our recruits to an established program where we do not have to provide the training site and the equipment for a class.”

For more information about Lansing Community College, visit the school’s website.