As part of MMA’s effort to provide solutions to the acute need for manufacturing talent now and in the future, I am proud to announce that this week Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a $6 million appropriation secured by MMA to double the number of schools participating in the Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education (PRIME) initiative, which offers education and career-readiness opportunities to high school students.

MMA partners with the SME Education Foundation to develop PRIME schools in which students learn from a tailored curriculum incorporating hands-on training on modern, industry-standard equipment and are provided with opportunities to explore futures in manufacturing, engineering and STEM-related careers. There are currently 17 SME PRIME schools in Michigan.

Developing strong Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs like PRIME is key to solving Michigan’s talent shortage. This expansion of the PRIME school initiative will help show students across the state the great future that lies with manufacturing careers and will serve to support a strong pipeline of ambitious, creative and prepared young people ready to take their place in advanced manufacturing.

This ground-breaking award would not be possible without the support of a bipartisan set of pro-manufacturing legislators, including Representative Joe Tate (D-Detroit), who also serves on the SME Education Foundation Board, Representative Brad Paquette (R-Niles), who sponsored the bill, Representative Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan), Chair of the Workforce, Trades and Talent Committee, and Senator Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) and Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland), who played critical roles in the effort.

Learn more about the PRIME program and contact MMA’s Mike Johnston at 517-487-8554 or johnston@mimfg.org to discuss opportunities to boost your company’s talent pipeline and improve the image of manufacturing careers.

Source: Michigan Manufacturers Association

Polk & Associates

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Polk and Associates is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The firm participates in the AICPA Peer Review Program, and has always received the highest level of award for its audit practice and quality control.