July / August 2022 MiMfg Magazine 15 tentative launch date in the fall of 2023 . They plan on partnering with Washtenaw Community College which already has a robust manufacturing technology program . “ Washtenaw Community College has a lot of great programs related to the advanced manufacturing technician degree , like a mechatronics and other disciplines . They already have a really strong core curriculum for the technical skills .” says Wallace . “ Washtenaw and the employers will also get extensive support and training from the Manufacturing Institute to support other aspects of the program , such as professional behaviors , lean manufacturing , problem solving and other skills .
It Takes a Village — Leveraging Regional Partnerships
Orbitform , a forming and fastening equipment provider in Jackson , supports its talent pipeline through partnerships with local CTE programs . For example , the company works with JAC3 , which is managed by the Jackson Area Career Center , to provide students with the opportunity to do a workstudy during their last two years of high school .
“ By the third year , [ the students are ] working here full-time and have earned an associate degree in manufacturing ,” says Orbitform President Jacob Sponsler .
Working with JAC3 has been a valuable tool to create more outreach with students but Orbitform has also worked very hard at creating the right culture and long-term benefits that would attract younger Millennials and Gen Z employees . More than anything , the transition that Sponsler has seen over the years is that students who are ready to enter the workforce now are looking for opportunities for growth , to be engaged in the work they ’ re doing and for strong company values .
“ I feel that at one point , these things were considered a nicety to have on the job but now that ’ s become a business requirement ,” says Sponsler . “ From an organizational standpoint , that ’ s a real benefit because you ’ re getting people who are motivated and want to be engaged which is something that really supports the culture .”
They say a single wave can lift all boats and that has been the case for Maurer and Humphrey Products when it comes to regional workforce development . Maurer has been involved with developing regional programs for the past 10 years after he was asked to sit on a workforce development board for the fourcounty region — Kalamazoo , Calhoun , Branch and St . Joseph .
“ Everybody was coming out of that and realizing that they had a real problem with labor . So , that ’ s really when I started getting involved ,” says Maurer .
Maurer also got involved with Southwest Michigan First and the Kalamazoo Regional Education Services
Statewide Resources for Employers and Employees
Revolutionizing Michigan ’ s talent development systems to meet the skills needed to empower the largest sector of Michigan ’ s economy — manufacturing — to thrive is a top priority for MMA and its dedicated and powerful team of lobbyists . Take advantage of these resources to support your company ’ s workforce needs and contact MMA ’ s Bill Rayl to strategize a plan for your future .
Going PRO Talent Fund The Going PRO Talent Fund awards grant funds to employers for training , developing and retaining current and newly hired employees . State lawmakers increased the budget for 2023 to $ 55 million in part thanks to MMA ’ s advocacy efforts . ( see page 22 to learn more about the 2022 Going PRO Talent Fund cycle )
Michigan Reconnect Workers over the age of 25 can earn a tuition-free associate degree or Pell-eligible skill certificate at an eligible community college with the Michigan Reconnect program . The state has earmarked $ 55 million for 2023 expanding the program to 40,000 more applicants .
PRIME ® Talent Program SME Foundation ’ s PRIME ® is a national initiative that is currently in 63 schools across 22 states . Thanks to an MMA-led effort to secure a $ 6 million appropriation to the School Aid Fund Budget , the state has doubled the number of schools participating in the unique manufacturer / educator partnership-driven PRIME initiative .
See mimfg . org to learn more about these resources and contact MMA ’ s Bill Rayl at 517-487-8513 or rayl @ mimfg . org .
Agency ( RESA ). Both agencies provide support for workforce development programs in different ways : Southwest Michigan First is the economic development agency for the region while Kalamazoo RESA oversees CTE curriculum for local school districts .
Maurer says it was highly beneficial for Humphrey to be involved with all three of the regional agencies to understand how they interact and the opportunities that are out there .
“ Being involved in these regional groups gives me good relationships with people who can help coach and point me in the right direction for a lot of things ,” says Maurer . “ It also provides a direct relationship with the CTE administrators and instructors . They can try to point individual kids my way , or give me a heads up on students who may be interested in a co-op .”
Heethuis has also been able to leverage regional collaboration to not only benefit his company , the Grand Rapids-based Autocam , but the entire west Michigan area . Since 2018 , he has