Training and support is the key to the future of manufacturing and technology in northern Michigan, and Northwestern Michigan College is bringing that asset to more of the area with an expansion of services at its
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center.
The service area for the center has been 10 counties, and now will expand to 21 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula of the state. NMC hosts the regional office of the center, which is part of the National Institute for Science and Technology's manufacturing extension partnership program.
For the college, the expansion fits right in with their long-term strategic goals, which are to increase the school's role in and ties to economic and workforce development in the area.
Richard Wolin, director of the regional office, says it's a good fit too, as education and training are essential to manufacturing growth.
"For the northern Michigan region to grow and prosper, the manufacturers here must employ highly-skilled and educated people, use world-class quality processes and apply advanced manufacturing technology," Wolin says.
The center offers business assessment and basic improvement advice at no cost to manufacturers, and also provides training seminars and courses on a variety of topics at low cost, as well as connecting clients to other state and national resources for their specific needs. Part of the center's mission is to maintain a high return on investment ratio for clients who use the services, so they can be sure each project or service is making an impact on growth in the region.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Richard Wolin, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
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