Training Programs

FREE TUITION!

State Launches Michigan Reconnect Program Offering Free Tuition to Eligible Adults

The new Michigan Reconnect program provides eligible adults age 25 or older with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degrees or skills certificates at their local, in-district community colleges or select private training schools.

The goal is to help people prepare for in-demand careers in manufacturing, construction, information technology, health care and business management. This program is directly aligned with Oakand80 program and its objective of having 80 percent of the adults in Oakland County obtain a post-secondary degree or credential by 2030.

Persons can submit a Michigan Reconnect application at

Call 248-858-5520 for help with education and training.

Are you changing careers and in need of new training and education?
Has your current industry expanded and you need to upgrade your skills?

We have programs available to assist you with the cost of tuition to go back to school and earn an industry-recognized credential in a high-demand occupation or industry!

Available Training Programs

Tuition Assistance

An Oakland County Michigan Works! Career Advisor will meet with you to assess your knowledge, skills, and abilities and help you determine your next steps.
Oakland County Michigan Works! partners with area community colleges, universities, and proprietary schools to offer tuition assistance through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs).
A list of training institutions and programs can be found at Michigan Training Connect

Contact your local Oakland County Michigan Works! to schedule an appointment for an orientation that will provide an overview of eligibility requirements, how to apply for financial aid, available programs, and next steps toward pursuing further education.

Michigan Works! - Oakland Community College

Whether you are seeking short-term training through Economic Workforce Development or working with a Michigan Works! Agency, we are here to guide you through the process of becoming an Empowered OCC Student!

Learn more and get started at: oaklandcc.edu/admissions/michigan-works.

Oakland NEXT - Training Programs

Complete a FREE certificate training program right from home. Qualified participants receive free tuition, with the opportunity to earn a certification

Learn more - Oakland NEXT - Training Programs.

CNC Machine Operator Training

Do you enjoy working with your hands and your mind?
Are you looking for gratifying work and portable skills with an in-demand career?

There is an immediate need for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine operators, who make parts and pieces from raw materials. Learn more about this short-term, five-week training program that will prepare participants for entry-level CNC machine operator positions.
Learn More - CNC Machine Operator Training

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship

Are you ready to launch a career in health care?

There is a growing demand for certified medical assistants throughout southeast Michigan. Take a look at the challenging and rewarding apprenticeship program now being offered to a limited number of qualified people who want to pursue this profession.
Learn More - Medical Assistant Apprenticeship

PLC and Robotics Technician Program

Advanced manufacturing is one of the fastest-growing, high-demand industry sectors in Southeast Michigan, with thousands of positions open annually. If you have the interest and ambition, Oakland County Michigan Works! and Oakland Community College offer no-cost training to qualified workers.
Learn More - PLC and Robotics Technician Program

Retail Worker Retraining Program

Are you a laid off retail worker?

Your local Oakland County Michigan Works! office has funding available for free training and supportive services to eligible participants. To qualify for training grants, you must prove you have lost a job in the retail industry over the past couple of years.
Learn More - Retail Worker Retraining Program

Oakland County Michigan Works!, aligned with County Executive David Coulter’s goal of 80 percent of its citizens securing a post-secondary degree or advanced certification, offers a variety of education and training programs for people who are laid off or otherwise unemployed.

Our goal is to help you find your next position and reenter the workforce as quickly as possible. Most job growth in Oakland County is in the fields of advanced manufacturing, health care and information technology. Demand for talent in the skilled trades is among the highest in the nation.

Training Program Calendar

Did you know?

Certifications and licenses often can be obtained in less than a year. Many skilled trades can be learned through apprenticeships or short-term training. Tuition assistance also may be available. Some training programs even offer college credits. Vocational schools, career colleges and technical schools can save you money and time when compared to earning a two- or four-year degree. Explore these careers at MI Trade School.