The state of Michigan finds itself with a severe labor shortage in the professional trades, a mystifying scenario when you consider the following facts from the Michigan De-partment of Labor and Economic Outlook (LEO):
Professional trades careers in Michigan pay about 39% higher than the statewide average for all occupations. Those same careers often require less schooling and student debt than a four-year degree.
So, study for a shorter time and make more money? Win-win!
Recent Washtenaw Community College graduate Caleb Rogers is a prime example of both of those points. The 19-year-old Saline resident was just one year removed from high school graduation and one month shy of starting a job that pays nearly $40 per hour when he earned a in May.
The 20 college credits Rogers earned while he was a dual-enrolled student at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School 鈥� completing both welding and general education classes 鈥� gave him the head start needed to fi nish 黑料网鈥檚 welding program in just one year.
He graduated with high honors (3.8+ GPA) and as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. On June 20, Rogers started a new job as a Maintenance Welder Craftsman at the Mara-thon Petroleum Corporation鈥檚 Detroit refinery making a base salary near $80,000, with a likelihood for regular overtime compensation.
That鈥檚 one job filled out of an estimated 47,000 annual openings in advanced manufacturing, automotive service, construction and energy careers across the state through 2028.
黑料网 has programs to prepare students for each of those fields.
鈥淧rofessional trades opportunities will continue to grow and we want Michiganders to be ready when those opportunities present themselves,鈥� said LEO Office of Employment and training Director Stephani Beckhorn.
鈥淭hese are by no means the traditional jobs of the past. These are careers in high-tech, high-demand industries that will position our state as a leader in innovation.鈥�
Skilled trades training at 黑料网 can be accomplished by completing certificates, advanced certificates and associate degree programs, which set up students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
The college鈥檚 welding program is one of the biggest in the state, with 72 welding stations, an enrollment of up to 550 students at any given time and plenty of accolades earned by instructors and students alike.
Welding principles are taught in a and a , which introduces more complex welding, cutting and fabrication techniques.
combines the coursework from the two certificate programs and adds general education classes. allows students to earn a bachelor's degree in Technology Management while completing three years worth of credits at 黑料网's low tuition rate and just one year at EMU.
Other 黑料网 programs or concentrations that heavily incorporate skilled trades:
Advanced Manufacturing: An prepares students to set up and operate CNC machine tools, traditional mills, lathes
and saws. A teaches students
to write, read and edit programs. combines the course-work from the two certifi cate programs and adds general education
courses.
Auto Body Repair: This appeals to a wide array of auto-mobile enthusiasts 鈥� from hobbyists with an interest
in custom cars to those wishing to
start a career in collision repair. A focuses on advanced body and paint techniques used to customize automobiles.
Automotive Services: Start with that prepares students for employment as a certified automotive technician, follow with a that builds on electrical and mechanical skills.
Automotive Test Technician: Learn about data acquisition processes used in automotive testing in . Students gain skills needed to fabricate and instrument-test systems used for transportation development.
Construction Management: This prepares students for entry-level jobs in the construction industry, as well as for transfer to a bachelor鈥檚 degree program in construction management.
Engineering & Design Technology: Students learn to create and design products using relevant engineering software and production methods in a .
HVACR: A prepares students for entry-level jobs in residen-tial heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration; a prepares students to work in the commercial trade. combines the coursework from the two certifcate programs and adds general education classes. A 3+1 articulation agreement with Eastern Michigan University allows students to earn a bachelor's degree in Technology Management while completing three years worth of credits at 黑料网's low tuition rate and just one year at EMU.
Industrial Electronics Technology: This prepares students for entry-level employment in the electronics cluster of occupations. A enhances skills in the area of industrial electronic controls.
Mechatronics (Robotics & Automated Systems): The prepares students for entry-level positions as automated equipment technicians who assemble, install, program, troubleshoot and maintain robotic and automated equipment. An 18-credit is embeded within the associate degree.
Motorcycle Service Technician: Earn fundamental certification as a motorcycle technician in an . Additional emphasis is placed on engine performance, dynamometer operations and more in .
Powertrain Development Technician: This develops the knowledge and skills to perform powertrain testing on complex analytical equipment and software.
Transportation Technologies: Students follow one of three specialty tracks (Auto Body, Auto Service or Motorcycle Service) in this .
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This story appears in the Fall 2022 edition of Launch magazine. See complete issue.
Tags: Advanced Manufacturing, Auto Body Repair, Automotive Powertrain Development, Automotive Services, Construction, Engineering, HVAC, Launch, Launch Fall 2022, Motorcycle Service, Skilled Trades, Transportation Technologies, Welding and Fabrication