MEC

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Schoolcraft College has teamed up with the Better Business Bureau of Michigan to host a job fair this fall focusing on skilled trades.

Job seekers can find a new position by attending a skilled trades career fair next month at Schoolcraft Collge.

The career fair will take place from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sept. 25 in the DiPonio Room of the Vistatech Center, 18600 Haggerty Road. Presented by the Better Business Bureau of Michigan and the Schoolcraft College Office of Career Mentorship and Placement, this dynamic event will focus on positions within the skilled trades.

The career fair is free and open to job seekers, with registration requested but not required. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local employers, learn about open positions, and in some cases, interview on site. Guests are encouraged to dress in interview-appropriate attire and bring several copies of their résumé.

Attendees will find opportunities for long-term career growth with local employers. The fair welcomes students, graduates, veterans, experienced professionals and career changers in the skilled trades. It also supports the BBB Educational Foundation’s mission to educate individuals and businesses about ways to operate safely and ethically in today’s marketplace.

“There are so many opportunities for those seeking jobs in the skilled trades, and we’re excited to team up with the Better Business Bureau of Michigan to hold this job fair in the Vistatech Center on campus,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “This job fair will provide many opportunities for guests to meet employers and find a new position that fits their skillset.”

For employers, exhibitor registration is $100, or $75 for BBB Accredited Businesses and chamber members. Vendors who reserve a booth by Sept. 3 will also be entered into a drawing to have their booth fee fully reimbursed. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

A recent survey put out by the BBB® showed its Accredited Businesses in the skilled trades identified “hiring and maintaining employees” as one of their greatest challenges. Given this challenge, the BBB of Michigan decided to team up with Schoolcraft College for this upcoming job fair.

“At BBB of Michigan, we are deeply committed to supporting both the businesses that serve our communities and the individuals who help them thrive,” said Lisa Frohnapfel, President and CEO of BBB of Michigan. “We heard our Accredited Businesses loud and clear—there’s a growing need for skilled trades talent—and we’re proud to take action by bringing together employers, job seekers, and partners for this important hiring event.”

For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit BBB.org/local/0372/jobfair.

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The Electrified Mobility Certification program involves a hands-on lab combined with on-line training modules to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Electric mobility is the fastest growing segment in new vehicle sales and Schoolcraft College is positioning itself to be at the forefront of educating our workforce in this space with ~~~~its newest non-credit program.

Schoolcraft College launched The Electrified Mobility Certification program in Dec. 2024.  The first participants in the program are a team of experienced technicians from Roush Industries in an apprenticeship program supported by SEMCA Michigan Works.  The program utilizes a four-week hands-on lab combined with on-line training modules to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Jerry Lickey, who instructs the lab section of the program, said electric vehicles aren’t a new concept; in fact, they’re the original concept. The first automobiles driven ran on electricity in the 1800s before most cars switched to internal combustion engines.

Students assemble and disassemble a fully functional three-wheel electric vehicle during the class, which, once built, can travel as high as 60 mph. Once students complete the four-week program, and the online courses that follow, they receive an electrified mobility certification. This non-credit certification helps prepare them to identify key competencies employers seek in the mobility sector that are reflective of current best practices in the field.

“Our team has been very active in the development of the curriculum to make sure that our industry partners value the training we’re putting together. Roush and Bosch have been heavily involved with this program and their input has been invaluable,” said Amy Jones, Schoolcraft College’s Senior Director of Workforce Development. “It’s pretty comprehensive.”

The online components of the training program — which is being created in conjunction with the Electric Vehicle Center at the University of Michigan — has been in development since 2023.

These cohorts bring students together to help learn skills to better prepare for the world of electric and hybrid vehicles. There are many experienced technicians in the automotive industry who are interested in updating their skills to be able to work on hybrid and electric vehicles.

group looking at electrical wiring of a metal part
Instructor Jerry Lickey works with students in The Electric Mobility Certification program. The program utilizes four-week hands-on lab combined with on-line training modules to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Willie Simmons, Jr., a technician at Roush, spent one evening recently at the MEC working on low voltage panels for the car. He said he’s spent some time around EVs, such as disassembling a Ford F-150 Lightning and learning more about it, but the program at Schoolcraft really helped drive important concepts home.

“I kind of love it,” he said. “I don’t know what I was expecting out of it, but I do like to challenge myself all the time.”

Battery electric and hybrid vehicle combined sales are projected to reach close to 70% by 2030.  The industry will require workers to significantly upskill their current workforce, as well as new people entering the growing mobility industry.

The program has been exclusively used by Roush the past several months with plans to expand it to another local company soon. Some classes, including the online component, will also open to the public wanting to learn in the coming months.

This program helps educate those looking to advance in the mobility industry, a line of work that is here to stay for years to come, as well as automotive workers looking to upskill and learn more about hybrid and electric vehicles.

For more information on the program, contact Schoolcraft College’s Workforce and Economic Development office at [email protected] or by calling 734-462-4438.

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The event, taking place April 9 at Schoolcraft College’s Manufacturing and Engineering Center in Livonia, will feature more than 20 different employers seeking workers for various positions in the skilled trades.

Schoolcraft College’s Career Mentorship and Placement office will host its first Skilled Trades Job Fair later this spring for those seeking to join the exciting fields of manufacturing and other technical fields.

The fair will take place from 4-7 p.m. April 9 at the College’s Manufacturing and Engineering Center, located at 13001 Merriman Road in Livonia. The event will feature more than 20 different employers seeking workers for various positions in the skilled trades.

Employers that will be at the fair include AlphaUSA, Gil-Mar Manufacturing, Williams International, Roush and more.

“This job fair is the perfect place for students entering the skilled trades to find employment,” said Karen Maxton, the Employment and Internship Coordinator for the College’s Workforce and Economic Development Department. “We’re looking forward to welcoming area employers to our beautiful Manufacturing and Engineering Center and meeting future employees eager to get to work.”

The job fair is free and is open to students, alumni and community members. Attendees are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume to the event and dress appropriately to meet with employers.

The Skilled Trades Job Fair will be the first in a series of industry-specific job fairs hosted by Schoolcraft College’s Career Mentorship and Placement office in collaboration with various campus stakeholders and industry experts. More details on the future job fairs and the industries they will feature will be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact the Career Mentorship and Placement office: [email protected], 734-462-4421.

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New programs bring more campers to campus

child smiling holding robotic car
Creating Lego robots is one of the activities in the Robots Rule camp.

New offerings and more registrations highlighted this year’s Kids on Campus (KOC) summer enrichment program, which recently concluded on the campus of Schoolcraft College. Arts and culture; communication; computers and technology; science and more are among the topics that are explored by children through 12th grade.

This year, Kids on Campus expanded beyond the main campus to the Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC). The MEC, which opened in 2020, was the ideal location for programming for those interested in STEM-related activities, including 3D printing and design and machine manufacturing.

“The classes at the MEC were very well received,” said Dr. Jodie Beckley, Director of Schoolcraft College’s Personal and Professional Learning (PPL) department, which manages the Kids on Campus program. “The overall attendance was great and the responses from students were very positive. Classes at the MEC allowed students to work with equipment currently used in manufacturing and allowed students to explore career options early.”

Given Schoolcraft College’s excellent reputation in the field of culinary arts, it’s no surprise that those classes were popular once again. Another well-received program was Camp Scrubs, which gives students a glimpse into a variety of careers in the medical field and highlights the outstanding resources on campus, including the brand-new Health Sciences Center.

For 2022, Kids on Campus, which ran June 27-August 12, had

  • More than 2,300 registrations this summer
    • This was an increase of more than 700 compared with last summer
  • 196 sections
  • 118 unique camps
  • 10 brand new camps
kid using machinery
Photo 1
kids in kitchen
Photo 2
Photo 1: Under the direction of Gene Keyes, Schoolcraft College faculty member, a student explores the world of design in the Manufacturing & Engineering Center.
Photo 2: Students create a delicious masterpiece in Baker’s Academy.

Impressions from Kids on Campus

The engaging, invigorating programs taught by dedicated and enthusiastic teachers made Kids on Campus a winner once again. Here is a sampling of responses to the question, “What would you tell a friend about KOC?”:

Students:

  • “I hope I have college here” – David D. (Non-Stop Science)
  • “Kids on Campus is the best; it is amazing” – Daniel M. (Ocean Adventures)
  • “It is very enjoyable and fun and the teachers are really nice. It also helps you make friends” – Reyhan K. (Debate)
  • “Best decision of my life” – Cayden M. (Minecraft Modders – 7,8,9)
  • “It’s highly structured while remaining fun – helps curb the summer slide, especially during COVID” – Katie P. (Physics Fun)
  • “It’s a five out of five!” – Cameron J. (Make it Work)
  • “I would say that it’s a lot of fun and the people here will have a lasting effect on you” – Annastasia M. (Make it Work)
  • “It is fun for kids who like hands-on learning” – Ryan C. (Manufacturing & Engineering)

Parent:

  • “Classes are very engaging and it helps to expand the kids’ minds, curiosity, and knowledge. Instructors are awesome!” – Elizabeth H. (Preschool)

Michele Biaolo, Programming Manager, Personal & Professional Learning, is eager to build on this year’s momentum next year.

“Next summer we plan to have even more camps for kids in grades 1 and 2 and more camps the last week of Junewith Before and After Care,” she said. “This summer we tested the last week in June with six camps and they were very successful.”

Registration for next summer’s Kids on Campus is scheduled to open Thursday, February 10, 2023.  The annual Open House will meet Tuesday, February 8, 2023. Updates on next year’s KOC lineup can be found at schoolcraft.edu/koc.

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Industry demanding increased technical competence 

To support its mission to ensure its students have the training and certifications needed to thrive in an ever-competitive market, Schoolcraft College is now a member of the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).

SACA aligns education and training to meet the realities of the fourth industrial revolution, known as Industry 4.0. Students who attend classes in the Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC) will be among the first to take advantage. Opened in the fall of 2020, the MEC is the home of Schoolcraft College’s engineering and technology programs. This 48,000-square-foot facility more than doubled the space for occupational programs, including:

  • Biomedical Engineering Technology
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Engineering Technology
  • Electronics
  • Manufacturing Technology/CNC (Computer Numerical Control)
  • Mechatronics
  • Metallurgy and Materials Science
  • Plastic Technology
  • Welding

The MEC also houses a 3D printing lab and robotics lab.

MEC student
Students who attend classes in the Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC) will be among the first to take advantage of Schoolcraft College being a member of the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).

Amy Jones, Associate Dean of Occupational Programs, Engineering & Technology, believes joining SACA will be a great benefit for Schoolcraft College students.

“Today’s manufacturing environment is increasingly complex and computer-connected, and employers are seeking higher levels of technical competency from their employees,” she said. “The SACA certification gives students the technical information to understand and troubleshoot the complex systems found in industry. The certification will attest that the student has learned concepts and can perform various processes learned.”

Further, as a member of SACA, Schoolcraft College can administer the testing without additional fees to students and staff.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Industry 4.0 is resulting in reduced downtime and increased quality, productivity, and overall efficiency in industries of all kinds thanks to advanced technologies that make up what is known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

IIoT technologies include advanced robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and machines, cloud-based data analysis, and cybersecurity. As companies increase their use of networks and Internet technologies, they are connecting more devices, from smart sensors to smartphones. 

“The SACA certification gives students the technical information to understand and troubleshoot the complex systems found in industry.”

Amy Jones, Associate Dean of Occupational Programs, Engineering & Technology

While there are many certifications available today that address isolated competencies, SACA certifications are different. SACA’s Industry 4.0 certifications certify “connected systems” skills that address the integration of the many types of advanced manufacturing technologies with Industry 4.0 technology. 

Students will be able to earn SACA certifications at the Associate, Specialist, and Professional level in areas such as basic and advanced operations; robot systems; IIoT, networking, and data analytics; automation systems; production systems; and information technology (IT) operations.

“The certification is important to give students the right skills to gain employment in middle-to-high skill level position,” Jones said. “The various levels of the certification allows students to continue to master higher level skills which can lead to more advanced job opportunities. The certification shows employers what competencies the student can perform on the job.”

SACA student
The Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC) is the home of Schoolcraft College’s engineering and technology programs.

SACA will be part of Mechatronics program

The College plans on implementing the SACA certification in a number of ways. This includes structuring it into the credit programs for Mechatronics Technology, which is being revised for the Spring 2022 semester, so that students earn the credentials as they progress through the curriculum.

“We also have grant programs that will follow a ‘boot camp’ model for short-term training leading to a credential and employment or the student may articulate into our credit program,” said Sandra Miller, Project Coordinator, Business Development Center.

“Finally, SACA offers micro-credentials in a particular subject such as hydraulics. These micro-credentials can be offered by Schoolcraft’s Workforce Training Solutions as customized training for employers to upskill their current workforce.” 

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This year’s event was held in a virtual format

Schoolcraft College lent its expertise and highlighted the Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC) to support the 2021 Wayne County Manufacturing Day held Friday, October 1.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event was held in a virtual format and earned a strong audience:

  • 6,434 pre-registered students
    • 2,118 middle school students
    • 4,296 high school students
    • 20 adults
  • 47 schools representing 28 districts
  • 25 participating businesses
  • 6 participating colleges

Robotic arm in a manufacturing room
A robotics lab is part of Schoolcraft College’s Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC).

MEC, is the home of Schoolcraft College’s engineering and technology programs. Opened in the fall of 2020, the 48,000-square-foot facility more than doubled the space for occupational programs, including:

  • Biomedical Engineering Technology
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Engineering Technology
  • Electronics
  • Manufacturing Technology/CNC (Computer Numerical Control)
  • Mechatronics
  • Metallurgy and Materials Science
  • Plastic Technology
  • Welding

MEC also houses a 3D printing lab and robotics lab.

Schoolcraft College’s presentation included a comprehensive overview of all programs as well as other opportunities, including Dual Enrollment for high school students and “boot camps” for professionals.

Each program profile included possible jobs and industries, potential wages and salaries and credential options offered at Schoolcraft College.  Visit their web page to learn more about Schoolcraft College’s Manufacturing and Technology programs.