A $300,000 windfall, stronger ties between local education and local industry, and benefits for Traverse City's manufacturing employers: Recent awards bring all this to the Northwest Educational Services Career Tech Center and region. there is a possibility.
The North Ed School Board voted to accept the potentially groundbreaking designation from the SME Education Foundation. Pat Lamb, Career Tech Center (CTC) principal and NorthEd's associate director of career and technical education, said: ticker The designation, called SME PRIME, will ultimately provide funding of “$300,000 plus” to help schools rebuild their manufacturing programs.
SME (the Society of Manufacturing Engineers) is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that has been working since 1932 to “accelerate the spread of manufacturing technology and build North American talent and capability.” PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) “partners with private industry and academia to build custom manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country.” Schools designated with SME PRIME status include equipment, Significant funding is provided for curriculum development, teacher training, student scholarships, and extracurricular activities. All of this is aimed at helping these schools better meet manufacturing workforce development needs.
Lamb said NorthEd's CTC is one of 16 schools in the U.S. to receive the designation this year. Approximately 110 schools in 23 states are enrolled in this exclusive program, including approximately 50 schools in Michigan.
The PRIME program has been a focus of NorthEd's attention for many years. According to Lam, CTC applied in early 2010, but it was not approved. But this year, the school had a big champion in Bill Myers, CEO of Traverse City-based manufacturer Promethient.
“Around the beginning of the school year, Bill called me and asked if I knew about this opportunity,” Lamb says. “When we returned, we found the rejection letter we had received several years earlier, which prompted us to apply again. But this time, Bill's connections and support ensured that our application was successful. I think that was a big reason why I did it.”
Mr. Myers said he is excited about the PRIME program working with CTC. ticker This designation “further enhances our ability to provide strong educational pathways for manufacturing careers.”
One unique aspect of the program that both Lamb and Myers emphasize is its adaptability. Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach to all registered institutions, the SME PRIME program sends a representative to each designated school to examine its unique needs. We also survey local industry players to determine what they need in terms of talent development. SMEs then take all that information and develop customized plans to enhance their manufacturing programs and make them better suited to the needs of their industry.
“The PRIME program allows us to develop a high school curriculum tailored to the needs of local manufacturers,” Myers explains. “What makes this unique is that it not only helps us fund curriculum launches and equipment purchases, but also provides resources to sustain and evolve our programs over time. It’s a great win for both students and manufacturers.”
According to Lamb, the wheels are already in motion for PRIME to transform CTC and its programs. Since being notified of the award a month ago, CTC has already hosted small business representatives who have toured the school and taken notes on its facilities, equipment, and programs.
“They were amazed at what we had and the opportunities that already existed here,” Lamb says of the small business representatives. “They really felt like we could do a lot going forward with this funding, in part because the equipment we need is different than what we normally buy for schools. We have some equipment, and they were looking at more sophisticated equipment that they could offer us. For example, I know they were looking at 3D printers, precision measurement equipment, and robotic arm systems. I am.”
As for the survey of regional manufacturers, Lam said he has already spoken to several local companies that have submitted detailed responses. He hopes that the feedback will make CTC a strong partner in training future manufacturing professionals so they are ready for jobs locally.
“We already try to base everything we do on what the local community wants,” Lamb said. “How can we train our students in content that meets the needs of local industry when they graduate? SME PRIME can help us do that better.”
When will PRIME money start impacting CTC students? Lamb said the study is already underway and once feedback is received, SME will work with North Ed to list investments in facilities and curriculum. is scheduled to be finalized. Lamb's goal will be to buy everything and have it installed early this summer, he anticipates. This schedule allows time for CTC staff to receive training on new equipment in July or August, in time for the start of his September school year.
As for specific programs that will see changes, CTC's original PRIME application focused on four programs offered by the school: Engineering Academy, Precision Machining, Robotics and Automation, and Welding. But Lam expects more.
“After the visit, small businesses recognized the need for all of these programs, but also looked at our power equipment and automotive technology programs,” Lamb said. “So this award could impact six of our programs.”
