Rep. Miller: $24.9 Million Awarded for Michigan Community College Job Training Project

Press Release

U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today joined Macomb Community College in celebrating a $24.9 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Labor which will support job training to fill advanced manufacturing employer-identified skills gap. Specifically, this grant will support Macomb-led Michigan's community college Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (M-CAM) project which will provide educational opportunities for students at Macomb Community College and seven other community colleges across the state. Miller said:

"Today we celebrate a great step forward for Macomb Community College -- for this institution, our community, and most importantly, our young people who will make up the workforce of the future. Every year, more than 48,000 students, from recent high school graduates to individuals who are continuing their education to enhance their skills, find a quality education at this institution. The grant awarded to Macomb Community College for the M-CAM project is another example of the leadership provided by President Jim Jacobs and the great people at Macomb who have worked to advance educational opportunities not just in our community, but also all across the state.

"I have no doubt that Macomb Community College is ready to provide the leadership needed to make the M-CAM project a great success with the true winners being the students who will gain new skills and opportunities and the job creators who will put those skills to use in growing our economy. The M-CAM project will support the efforts of the eight community colleges to grow opportunities in advanced manufacturing, assisting individuals with obtaining excellent skills that will launch them into nationally important career fields. Michigan's community colleges are literally connecting the dots between education and the workplace -- improving the quality of life for the individual, their families and our nation.

"One only needs to look at the incredible comeback of our auto industry here in southeast Michigan, or the growth of our defense corridor, and the continued rise of manufacturing suppliers across our community to understand the need for highly trained workers in our economy now and into the future. Today is a celebration for continuing along the path to a better future, a stronger economy and great new jobs."

Note: The $24.9 million grant was awarded to the M-CAM project, which is led by Macomb Community College, who will receive $9.6 million of the funding. The other colleges in the coalition are Bay de Noc (Escanaba), Grand Rapids, Kellogg (Battle Creek), Lake Michigan College (Benton Harbor), Lansing, Mott (Flint) and Schoolcraft College (Livonia).

Macomb-led Michigan community college coalition's plans to train individuals in CNC machining, welding/fabrication, multi-skilled technician and production operations, with focus on impact in Macomb County. The M-CAM project will use the four-year grant to identify skill gaps within the advanced manufacturing workforce, and provide manufacturing upgrades at the colleges to match current employer standards. This will ensure that those participating in these programs will receive the latest educational instructions and skills development needed. Additionally, the M-CAM project will provide the hand-in-hand coordination with the curriculum for these advanced manufacturing programs across all eight colleges -- a first in the State of Michigan. This will not only provide for mobility for students between community colleges but will also offer employers assurance of consistently trained job candidates.

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