Janene Earne

Janene Kelley Erne is a Regional Apprenticeship Administrator at the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) and a U.S. DOL Apprenticeship Ambassadors. In this role, Janene works with partners from across apprenticeship systems to grow apprenticeship opportunities in southeast Michigan. Janene has over 20 years of experience in career development and apprenticeship, and is passionate about connecting industry and individuals for these opportunities.

As a Regional Apprenticeship Administrator, Janene’s work continues to support and expand initiatives created through the Advance Michigan Center for Apprenticeship Innovation (AMCAI) grant along with a $4 million Department of Labor (DOL) American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) grant called Closing the Skills Gap which brings together community colleges, workforce partners, and industry to strengthen the regional apprenticeship system and expand opportunities for Michigan’s talent. AAI spans 19 Michigan counties and aims to expand and enhance DOL Registered Apprenticeships.

Janene recently retired from Oakland Community College as the college’s Director of Apprenticeship and Technical programs and has an in-depth working knowledge of the world of registered apprenticeship. While at the college she spent many years working directly with the Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship (DOL/OA) and has worked with a wide variety of industry partners both large and small, union and non-union, and traditional (manufacturing and construction) and non-traditional (IT and medical) to create new apprenticeship programs. In addition, she regularly worked with and advised both college and high school students and faculty while working closely with Oakland County Michigan Works to develop new training programs and apprenticeships.

Janene is currently, and has been for over 10 years, the President of the Michigan Educators’ Apprenticeship and Training Association (MEATA). She is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator as well as a DOL/OA certified Youth Development Practitioner and holds a Master degree in Education from Marygrove College. Janene has three adult children—two working in public safety and one who is a DOL/OA certified mechatronic technician journeywoman.