TROY – Southeast Michigan-area employers are invited to attend on March 4 at Automation Alley an informational presentation to learn how the Michigan Advanced Technician Training system can help them develop a skilled workforce with the necessary talents and training for 21st century jobs.

?As Michigan?s economy continues to improve, more manufacturing companies are facing a shortage of skilled workers, ? said MEDC President Michael Finney. ?The MAT� initiative is focused on meeting employer needs by developing a highly skilled, readily employable workforce. This presentation will give employers an opportunity to learn about a comprehensive, proven method for developing the workforce they need to succeed.?

Offered by the MEDC and participating community colleges, MAT� is an innovative training system that combines classroom instruction with paid work experience in a three-year, no-cost model. The three programs being offered in 2014 are mechatronics, design ad visualization, as well as information technology.

The informational presentation will provide overviews on the new IT and Product Design and Visualization curriculum of the MAT� system.

The IT program aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the origins of the study of Computer Science/IT, including its mathematical background. Areas to be covered include databases, networks, system support, programming and programming languages.

The DV program prepares individuals to take on job duties that are involved in designing new products or modifying existing products to gain efficiencies that will permit lower cost production or faster customer reaction time.

The presentation will include two sessions, both providing overviews of the MAT� system. The 10 a.m. to noon session will provide details of the Design and Visualization area of study; the 2 to 4 p.m. session will cover the IT-Technician concentration.

The MEDC and Orbitak International, the consulting firm responsible for administering the MAT� system, will hold the presentations. The presentation is free and employers are invited to attend one or both sessions. To register, click on Centigrade.Com