skilled trades

The pioneering initiative awards college credit to participants who complete the building trades Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

A groundbreaking public/private collaboration with the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2, the Michigan Community College Association and Michigan’s Labor and Economic Development Office (LEO) are pioneering a new workforce development model. The initiative integrates apprenticeship training and a learner’s experience into credit toward an associate degree at 24 Michigan community colleges.

The pioneering initiative awards college credit to participants who complete the building trades Registered Apprenticeship Programs. In the model, apprentices enrolled in the program will have access to tutoring, advising and student wellness services while learning in a hands-on environment connecting classroom learning with real-world application. Livonia-based Schoolcraft College is the first institution to adopt this new collaboration.

“We believe the MI-CCAP agreement is one of the first in the country to facilitate a transfer agreement to union workers. I thank Schoolcraft College President Dr. Glenn Cerny for leading the way to early adoption of this program,” said Susan Corbin, the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development. “This program enables past, current, and future apprentices to earn college credit for their on-the-job training. It opens doors to degrees and certifications that strengthen careers, support employers, and build a skilled, adaptable workforce across Michigan.”

A dual enrollment opportunity also exists for high school students to enroll in the program and graduate from high school with their diploma, complete an apprenticeship and earn credits toward a college degree.

“This partnership is one more tool for us to recruit and train union workers and leaders,” said Brett Gierak, president of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local 2 of Michigan. “The program is an opportunity for our workers to continue their education without having to start over.”

“By awarding college credit for apprenticeship, we are creating clear pathways for apprentices to further their education, gain additional skills and advance their careers to build a stronger workforce and support local employers,” said MCCA President Brandy Johnson.

This model is especially important as the Bricklayers Union and Schoolcraft College implement a new partnership funded in part by Congressionally Directed Spending, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and LEO.

“This agreement is meeting learners where they are and moving them forward statewide,” Cerny said. “Hands-on training while earning credit for this experience is vital to their successes. We look forward to welcoming these workers to Schoolcraft College as they continue their education and grow their skills.”

The Schoolcraft College Foundation played a significant part in supporting and securing funding for this partnership which will provide additional opportunities for Michigan residents to secure living wage-paying jobs, while providing an educational pathway to future careers if they choose to pursue them.

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.”