Donation helps prepare Mid Michigan College students for successful careers in manufacturing

Mid Michigan College recently gained a new resource thanks to the donation of training equipment from the Central Michigan Manufacturers Association (CMMA).

The CMMA donated a Festo Mechatronics Lab to Mid, valued at $9,000, to be used by students in the Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Program (AIM). The training system will provide hands-on experience with mechanical systems including how belt, chain, and gear drives operate and work together as well as safety protocols associated with the equipment. Additionally, students will be able to earn Festo certifications by working with the equipment that will help demonstrate to employers an understanding of the equipment and skill acquisition.

Harry Leaver, Executive Director of the CMMA, says they value their partnership with Mid and want to help ensure that students receive the best training possible so that they can find quality jobs right here in Michigan.

“We're doing our best to help improve the education process and make sure that the educators understand the needs of the manufacturing community,” Leaver says. “We have an outstanding relationship going with the education community here and we'll continue to expand that as we go forward.”

Shawn Troy, Dean of Workforce & Career Education at Mid, says they are constantly working together with the CMMA to build on Industry 4.0 curriculum to meet the need and fill the gap in Michigan's talent pool for future manufacturing jobs.

“The partnership has been outstanding and this donation is very important,” Troy says. “Their support means that we're preparing students for the workplace that they desire and the skill set that they're looking for. You can't do that without communicating with each other and they've been great partners in terms of that communication.” 

Visit midmich.edu/aim to learn more about the AIM program at Mid Michigan College.