Tuscola - Kappen Tree Service is a family-owned and operated company based out of the Cass City/Caro area and is the largest Michigan-based utility, tree trim, and vegetation management company. Tree Trimmer Line Clearance Apprentices are the vast majority of their employees and the cost to train is hefty and increasing. The individuals who want to progress in this industry are paid union wages that are within the top 5 highest across the entire United States.

GST Michigan Works! assisted Kappen Tree Service in the Going Pro Talent Fund FY21 Application and Training Plan development. Apprenticeship training is expensive, so any help offsetting the investment is beneficial. Kappen Tree was awarded $105,000 to apply toward “first year only” Apprenticeship Training. They were able to train 15 current apprentices and 20 new hire apprentices. A total of 35 employees have received OJT (On the Job Training) and RTI (Related Technical Instruction) per the GPTF requirements. Despite the pandemic, Kappen was able to utilize the total award, receiving the full $105,000 reimbursement.

Jason Kappen stated that their employees develop confidence, skills, and strong team bonds through the training and close monitoring of their progress. They come to the realization that their actions can have a very negative or positive effect on them, their coworkers, the business entity, and their customers. He also said that the apprenticeship training has improved their business operations and production in the field to the highest degree. Collectively the trainees expressed that being an apprentice for Kappen Tree Service is so much more than just a job - it’s a career. The comradery among coworkers provides an extra level of support. They also said that having working bosses who know who you are makes all the difference in the world!

“The number one take away is that the training makes our employees safer every single day! We have the assurance our apprentices can assess and execute the appropriate measures for each different scenario safely. We speak with every single employee and over 95% of the feedback is positive.”  - Jason Kappen