DEARBORN – The state and a network of Michigan community colleges announced this week the launch of the Career Jump Start Program to promote training opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers to Michigan high school students.
Through a network of Michigan?s community colleges, Michigan Works! agencies, employers, trade unions, Chambers and other key organizations, the initiative will educate high school students about associate degree programs, apprenticeships and other training opportunities for occupations that are in high demand by employers.
The educational community will also help students continue to grow their formal education while working or provide supplemental classes through great programs like the Michigan Advanced Technical Training (MAT2) or Mechatronics Programs that Henry Ford Community College offer.
?Today, too few workers have the skills needed to meet the demands of employers in the new economy. One of the most common issues is around the lack of knowledge that high school students have about in-demand careers and training programs,? said Gov. Rick Snyder. ?Through the Career Jump Start program, we will encourage students to consider training opportunities that will provide them with critical work skills for those high-demand careers.?
Michael Finney, President and CEO of the Michigan Development Corporation, shared his positive experience during a news conference at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn about the early stages of program development and conversations he has had with employers across Michigan. Businesses have told him their biggest challenge is hiring STEM talent. The MEDC is helping lead this partnership for the Career Jump Start Program in hopes it will help provide more STEM talent to help Michigan remain competitive.
?Talent is the new currency in economic development,? Finney said. ?By making Michigan students aware of today?s high-demand jobs and the training programs that will prepare them for those jobs, we are ensuring the continued growth of Michigan?s economy. Career Jump Start is focused on meeting employer needs and will support ways to connect employers, educators and students, building Michigan’s workforce together.?
One example of what can be done can be found at Henry Ford Community College, where the MAT2 program is known for combining state-of-the-art training facilities with actual work sites to give students a skills-based education. Students alternate between the classroom and learning lab, gaining marketable skills and valuable knowledge.
One program is called Mechatronics, a cutting-edge field that combines mechanical engineering, electronics, computer technology and information technology. Mechatronics technicians provide support to mechanical engineers, modify machines, make minor changes and provide maintenance for related equipment in advanced manufacturing companies.
To facilitate the program, community colleges in 10 regions around the state will house ?career liaison specialists? who will provide resources to high school counselors, administrators, parents and teachers about post-high school training programs that will prepare students for in-demand occupations. Through improved connectivity between employers and the K-12 system, high school graduates in Michigan will be more informed about and connected to high-demand career options.
At the news conference, Greg Pitoniak, the CEO of the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance shared the excitement he has already seen among students taking tech tours. It gave them a chance to see STEM jobs at local businesses.
A young Mohamed Sayegh learned about a STEM career through his tech tour and now, at 19, works at Ford. The Career Jump Start Program will offer even more to students such as Mohamed. But what is clear from my perspective is Career Jump Start, and similar programs, are generating a wave of young talent ready to help Detroit and Michigan continue to innovate and grow STEM careers.
Associate Editor Nicole Johnson leads MITechNews.Com?s efforts to foster STEM education, as well as provides coverage for her fellow women in computing. If you have a story idea for Nicole, email [email protected]
