GRAND RAPIDS,Mich. — According to a press release the Michigan Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing was awarded $24.9 million as part of the Trade Adjustment Act Community College Capacity Building Grant program. As a member of this consortium Grand Rapids Community College was granted $4.1 million of this award to upgrade manufacturing programs, purchase equipment to support educating today’s workforce about the new role advanced manufacturing plays in West Michigan, and purchase equipment to grow existing programs at GRCC during the next four years.
“We are excited to be a part of this project,” said Julie Parks, GRCC’s director of Workforce Training and the Tassell M-TEC. “This was truly a group effort. Local manufacturing partners Autocam Corp., Roman Manufacturing, Leprino Foods, and Wolverine Coil Spring, and employers from Talent 2025 were key partners in this grant effort. ”
Community partnerships are the lifeblood of GRCC’s Workforce Development programs, said GRCC President Dr. Steven C. Ender.
“Our work with community partners and employers in career pathway development has enhanced GRCC’s ability to address the manufacturing skills gap,” Ender said. “These funds will allow GRCC to continue to serve the West Michigan manufacturing sector.”
A goal of the coalition is to align the curriculum for these programs across all eight colleges, which will be a first in the state of Michigan. GRCC will lead state curriculum in the area of welding and developing career pathways for advanced manufacturing.
The other members of the coalition and their portion of the award are:
Bay De Noc Community College $1.5 million
Grand Rapids Community College $4.1 million
Kellogg Community College $2.7 million
Lake Michigan College $1.2 million
Lansing Community College $2.1 million
Macomb Community College $9.6 million
Mott Community College $2.7 million
Schoolcraft College $1.1 million
