PHOTOS: Peters Stops in Escanaba on Annual Motorcycle Tour

ESCANABA, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) stopped in Escanaba today on his annual motorcycle tour across Michigan. On his “Paving the Way for Michigan’s Future” tour, Peters visited Bay College to see firsthand how their workforce development efforts are helping students obtain in-demand jobs. Peters also toured the college’s “Water Lab” where students in the Water Resource Management Program and Water Technology Program acquire specialized training in water and wastewater treatment and water pollution prevention – skills critical to ensuring clean drinking water for Michiganders and protecting the Great Lakes. Following the tour, Peters joined senior leaders from Bay College to discuss how they are helping to meet regional and statewide workforce demands –supporting local businesses and industries critical to Michigan’s future.

“There is a growing need in our state for workers that have the technical training in water management and technologies – and Bay College is answering the call,” said Senator Peters. “These skills training programs are not only creating a pipeline of qualified workers to our water sector – but helping to protect our Great Lakes and ensure Michiganders have clean drinking water.”

“I’ll keep fighting to boost federal support for workforce development initiatives like those here at Bay College to keep Michigan competitive in the 21^st century economy,” Peters continued.  

“We want to thank Senator Peters for visiting Bay College during his UP tour and taking the opportunity to learn about what Bay College is doing within their water program to support Michigan’s workforce,” said Dr. Nerita Hughes, Bay College President.

“Bay College’s water programs continue to support water and wastewater operations around the State of Michigan through flexible, competency based trainings and coursework. We were thrilled to have Senator Peters on campus and make him aware of our ability to impact Michigan’s workforce,” said Cindy Gallagher, VP of Business, Technology, Allied Health and Workforce Development.

Peters has worked to expand skills training opportunities, including in STEM education, to strengthen our nation’s economic competitiveness and help more Michiganders secure 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, which was signed into law, to allow more veterans to use their GI bill benefits toward securing a registered apprenticeship. Peters additionally helped pass significant support for workforce development programs and registered apprenticeships across the country through the government funding bill signed into law last year.

To download high-resolution photos from the event, click here or on the images below. Images are courtesy of Senator Peters’ office.