PHOTOS: Peters, Macomb Community College President Highlight New Federal Funding to Strengthen Workforce Training for Manufacturing, Construction Jobs

WARREN, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and Macomb Community College (Macomb) President Jim Sawyer highlighted new federal funding today that will help strengthen Macomb’s regional workforce development efforts. Peters secured $610,000 through a government funding bill that’s now law to advance Macomb’s Michigan Apprenticeship Program Plus (MAP+) focused on preparing students to obtain good-paying, in-demand jobs throughout the region. The federal funding Peters secured will help ensure the continuation of the MAP+ program for the next four years, as well as expand it to offer training in more trades. This project will bolster Macomb’s skills training operations and strengthen the college’s efforts to meet regional workforce demands – while supporting local businesses and industries critical to Michigan’s economic competitiveness.

“Macomb Community College excels at preparing students for successful careers and obtaining good-paying, in-demand jobs with employers based right here in Southeast Michigan,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to secure new federal resources to help ensure Macomb can continue to strengthen skills training programs to prepare students for jobs in manufacturing and construction, while also helping address regional workforce shortages.”

“Ensuring that our community’s residents have access to the training and support to succeed and prosper in today’s challenging economic climate, and that local employers have the talent necessary to sustain and grow their businesses is an imperative for Macomb Community College,” said James O. Sawyer IV, president, Macomb Community College. “We’re grateful for the advocacy and action of Senator Peters to secure critical financial resources that further our work in these areas.”

“We appreciate everything Senator Peters has done to secure this grant to further fund this program,” said Don Hutchison, dean, Engineering and Advanced Technology, Macomb Community College. “Through his support, we will expand and enhance the MAP+ program so more students will have opportunity to obtain good-paying, in-demand skilled trade jobs.”

The MAP+ program has created a pipeline of students interested in entering the region’s robust construction and manufacturing sectors – which are experiencing a skilled worker shortage across all industries including automotive, aerospace, and defense – to employers throughout Metro Detroit. Peters championed this high-impact, local project to support these efforts to meet local, regional, and statewide workforce needs and help Macomb continue to prepare students for current and future jobs.

Peters has long fought to expand skills training opportunities, including in STEM education, to strengthen our nation’s economic competitiveness and help place more Michiganders in needed, good-paying jobs. He previously helped enact bipartisan legislation that included provisions he authored to expand access to career and technical education (CTE) opportunities outside of the traditional four-year degree career pathway. Peters also authored bipartisan legislation into law to allow more veterans to use their GI bill benefits toward securing a registered apprenticeship. Peters additionally helped pass significant funding through the recent government funding law for workforce development programs and registered apprenticeships across the country.

During the event, Peters met with current MAP+ students and faculty, and toured one of Macomb’s training facilities. Peters examined the equipment that Macomb students use to build skills needed to obtain good-paying manufacturing and construction jobs, including advanced robotic systems. To download high-resolution photos from today’s event, click here or on the images below.

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