Aug. 26, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is gaining new equipment to help students learn in-demand career skills through a partnership with Lakeshore Advantage and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The GRCC Lakeshore Campus is one of three programs in Ottawa and Allegan counties to be supported through the Michigan Workforce Training Center Equipment grant program, intended to improve or expand area training programs for health care and automation.
“Our training providers are educational catalysts for the ongoing development of our local workforce,” Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens said. “As lakeshore companies continue to grow and expand, the need for a trained workforce becomes more pressing. The Michigan Workforce TEC grant program helps ensure our training providers have the appropriate equipment to help workers and students achieve the credentials and skills needed to be successful in today’s marketplace.”
The GRCC Lakeshore Campus in Holland Township was awarded $49,875 which will be used to purchase equipment that will allow for advanced automation training for the local workforce. These funds will also provide certification opportunities under Smart Automation Certificate Alliance and FANUC certifications.
"GRCC values our collaboration with Lakeshore Advantage, Holland area employers and the MEDC to give local residents the ability to gain skills they need for today and for the future,” said Julie Parks, Grand Rapids Community College’s dean of Workforce Training. “Industry 4.0 adoption is strong in this region, and this additional equipment is another piece that allows GRCC to make sure the workforce is ready to produce products that make Michigan a manufacturing leader.”
This funding awarded was part of a $3 million statewide funding program for the Michigan Workforce TEC Grant Program to support the needs of qualified training providers that provide workforce training for qualified employers and individuals in Michigan. Lakeshore Advantage was one of several area economic development organizations that administered the program on behalf of the state.
Thompson M-TEC/Ottawa Area Intermediate School District SD was also awarded $49,875 which will be used to purchase equipment to train on a FANUC/Miller ARC Robotic Weld Cell and offer FANUC specific certifications in robotic welding processes. This equipment will be housed at the M-TEC center located in West Olive.
Allegan County Area Technical Education Center which offers 19 technical training programs as well as vocational training opportunities for students with special needs. ACATEC, located in Allegan, was awarded $30,400 by Lakeshore Advantage to be used to cover the cost of training equipment for students working to earn Patient Care Tech and EKG certifications.
Lakeshore Advantage is a non-profit local economic development organization started in 2003 by business and community leaders to ensure current and future generations want to live and work in the region’s vibrant economy. Lakeshore Advantage assists primary employers, from startups to large world-class corporations, in West Michigan’s Allegan and Ottawa counties.
More information on the Michigan Workforce Training Center Equipment Grant Program can be found here.