Grand Rapids Community College has
joined 25 community and technical colleges throughout the United States in the Manufacturing
Imperative - Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) pilot program
designed to strengthen the manufacturing industry by addressing
shortages in the workforce and closing the skills gap.
GRAND
RAPIDS, Mich., July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Grand
Rapids Community College has joined 25 community and
technical colleges throughout the United
States in the Manufacturing Imperative - Workforce Pipeline
Challenge (MI-WPC) pilot program designed to strengthen the
manufacturing industry by addressing shortages in the workforce and
closing the skills gap.
"By working together, we can more
effectively prepare students for high-demand careers and build a
more robust workforce that will benefit both our local and national
economies."
The MI-WPC is a three-year program with a goal to attract 1,000
individuals at each of the initial participating community and
technical colleges annually, resulting in 75,000 or more qualified
workers in pursuit of manufacturing careers. The estimated economic
impact of growing the industry's workforce is $6 billion.
"Grand Rapids Community College is
proud to partner with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
and our community college colleagues throughout the United States to strengthen the
manufacturing industry," said GRCC President Charles Lepper. "By working together, we can
more effectively prepare students for high-demand careers and build
a more robust workforce that will benefit both our local and
national economies."
The MI-WPC program was launched in Fall 2023, combining the
industry and workforce expertise of SME with a select group of U.S.
community and technical colleges to inspire the future workforce by
training students for manufacturing careers. SME anticipates
millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs will need to be filled over the
next few years.
"We are thrilled to host a series of both President's Advisory
Council and Manufacturing Association Advisory Council meetings to
progress this public and private sector initiative and keep the
momentum moving forward," said Deb
Volzer, government and workforce partnerships director for
SME, who is leading the MI-WPC initiative. "Additionally, we
regularly bring together those implementing the initiative at each
institution in our 'Champion' meetings where best practices are
identified and shared."
Innovative solutions for attracting students in STEM related
programs, developing and deploying curriculum aligned to the needs
of local industry, changing the narrative around manufacturing, and
deploying strategies to build stronger relationships with school
districts will be shared nationally to grow local economics, reduce
barriers to employment, and fill vacant manufacturing jobs.
GRCC will officially kick-off its participation in MI-WPC with a
presentation at 7:30 a.m. on
July 23 at the Leslie E. Tassell
MTEC, 622 Godfrey Ave. SW, in Grand
Rapids.
About Grand Rapids Community
College
GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan's first community college – and is
focused on making college education accessible and affordable.
Classes are scheduled in person and online, on weekdays, evenings,
and Saturdays at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties. We offer traditional liberal
arts and occupational career pathways, adult education courses, and
skilled training courses and apprenticeships.
Media Contact
Amy Soper, Grand Rapids Community College, 6162342281,
amysoper@grcc.edu, grcc.edu
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content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/grcc-joins-national-initiative-to-boost-manufacturing-workforce-302196989.html
SOURCE Grand Rapids Community
College