Nov. 12, 2025
Grand Rapids Community College and its partners are reimagining how businesses build a skilled workforce. The results are already reshaping West Michigan’s talent pipeline.
In a groundbreaking collaboration with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), West Michigan Works!, Rockwell Earthworks and the Grand River Workforce Collaborative, GRCC launched a federally registered apprenticeship in landscaping, piloted through the high-profile Lyon Square renovation project.
This effort, the first of its kind in the region, represents more than a job training program. It’s a scalable model for employer-led apprenticeship creation, with GRCC acting as the classroom training hub and compliance partner.
“No one else in the country is doing this,” said Haley Kozal, GRCC’s apprenticeship program manager. “Every partner brings expertise to the table — city planning, small business, workforce development, education. We created something sustainable that works for employers, employees and the entire community.”
A New Kind of Partnership
For Rockwell Earthworks, a local landscape company, and with the support of Rockford Construction, the general contractor on the Lyon Square project, the benefits were immediate and practical.
“We started this business in 2020 and wanted to grow,” Rockwell said. “By apprenticing people who want to learn, we can vet their skill set and see if there is long-term employment fit. GRCC handles the classroom portion of the apprenticeship, and then each student works on projects as part of our team. This approach has allowed us to win bigger contracts, such as the landscaping work on the Lyon Square renovation, because we have trained staff to do the work.”
Apprentices split time between paid, hands-on work at Rockwell and classroom instruction provided by GRCC. Over two years, they’ll gain the skills needed to earn a nationally recognized journeyman’s credential at no cost to them.
“Our apprentices don’t have to drop everything to go to school full-time,” said Kozal. “They’re earning while learning — and growing with a company.”
Rockwell notes that additional funding streams, including support from GRCC’s apprenticeship grants and nonprofit partners, helped cover offseason wages and training costs which allowed the business to retain talent through slower winter months.
A Model for the Future
What started with Lyon Square is quickly becoming a replicable model. West Michigan Works!, DGRI and GRCC are positioning this collaboration as a template for how employers across industries can build capacity, reduce hiring risk and create sustainable pipelines of talent, especially for small and mid-sized businesses that don’t have HR departments or training teams.
“This pilot proves that it works,” stated James Peacock III, economic opportunity program manager at DGRI. “We’re already talking about adapting this for river restoration, water infrastructure and other skilled trades.”
And while the Lyon Square project is complete, the ripple effects are just beginning.
“This project shows how intentional collaboration creates real opportunity,” said Juan Rosario, talent solutions manager for West Michigan Works! “We’re helping people earn a credential that opens doors across the country. That’s good for them, good for business and good for West Michigan.”
Employer-Ready. Community Focused.
With more than 400 electrical apprentices and dozens of other programs in high-demand fields like welding and tool and die, GRCC is ready to help employers across the region create registered apprenticeships tailored to their needs.
“We’ve got the faculty, the equipment, the community partners and the experience,” Kozal said. “If you’re an employer looking to grow your team, we’ll help you build the pipeline.”
To learn more about GRCC’s apprenticeship capabilities, please visit the website or watch Creating Apprenticeships with GRCC.