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Workforce Solutions Regional Meetings 2024

Leadership in manufacturing is not confined to the c-suite; it permeates every aspect of an organization. And, as the current generation of leadership moves toward retirement, are your emerging leaders ready to take the reins? Being proactive in developing your leadership supply chain — and the leadership pool in your community — is critical to navigating the complexities of today’s global marketplace and adapting to technological advancements.

Companies and communities around the state are taking groundbreaking collaborative action to ensure resilience and success in the face of challenges and opportunities. Attendees heard powerful stories from their region and gained tactical solutions to take their companies to the next level at the Spring 2024 MMA Workforce Solutions Regional Meetings.

Particpants heard from Oakland Community College leadership, Triple Inc.’s Matt Minor, The Luminous Group and more at MMA’s Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Auburn Hills.

Date and Location
  • Thursday, May 9
  • Oakland Community College - Auburn Hills Campus

Event Highlights

Matching Educational Programming with Industry Need

Join Matt Minor, COO of Triple Inc., and Oakland Community College’s Cameron Albring, Sandra Bachert and Joe Petrosky to learn how educational programing was matched to address industry workforce challenges and continues to evolve into a more robust partnership for the success of both organizations. Talent development is a consistent priority for Michigan manufacturers and the solutions are perpetually evolving to meet the challenges of today, learn the value of community partnership within the process during this engaging panel discussion.

Triple Inc.’s Matt Minor
Matt Minor
Triple Inc.

Oakland Community College’s Cameron Albring
Cameron Albring
Oakland Community College

Oakland Community College’s Sandra Bachert
Sandra Bachert
Oakland Community College

Oakland Community College’s Joe Petrosky
Joe Petrosky
Oakland Community College

The Luminous Group's Murray Sittsamer and Elizabeth SollishTraining Enhancement and Mentoring System

The Luminous Group pioneered the TEaMS program, short for “Training Enhancement and Mentoring System,” aimed at resolving the widening knowledge gap in manufacturing. Discover how TEaMS carefully captures critical manufacturing job elements, crafts tailored knowledge packets, coaches’ new trainers, mentors’ new hires and validates their knowledge and skills. The outcome? A shorter learning curve, higher safety, improved quality, and greater productivity. Attendees will enjoy an interactive small team activity which highlights aspects of the TEaMS process. Join The Luminous Group’s Murray Sittsamer and Elizabeth Sollish as they demonstrate how TEaMS could help enhance your operator training program by reducing variation in training outcomes and greatly reduce the learning curve.

Attendees heard from Neogen Corporation’s Julie Mann, Eaton RESA’s Sara Jobson, Capital Area Manufacturing Council’s Cindy Kangas, Alro Steel’s Dave Anspaugh and Potterville High School’s Kaytie Palmiter and The Luminous Group at the MMA Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Lansing.

Date and Location
  • Wednesday, May 15
  • MMA Headquarters • Lansing

Presentations

Beneficial Talent Pipeline Partnerships

Sara Jobson with Eaton RESA, along with the Capital Area Manufacturing Council’s Cindy Kangas, Alro Steel’s Dave Anspaugh and Potterville High School’s Kaytie Palmiter, will outline how the adoption of one local high school has evolved into a long-standing and beneficial partnership and talent pipeline with robust benefits to all involved parties. Alro Steel Corporation has partnered with Potterville Middle/High School to expose students to the magnitude of jobs available in manufacturing with monthly focus on the different departments and jobs in a manufacturing facility. It is hoped that the partnership will lead to positive employment opportunities for both the students and Alro Steel.

Eaton RESA’s Sara Jobson
Sara Jobson
Eaton RESA

Potterville High School’s Kaytie Palmiter
Kaytie Palmiter
Potterville High School

Capital Area Manufacturing Council’s Cindy Kangas
Cindy Kangas
Capital Area Manufacturing Council

Alro Steel’s Dave Anspaugh
Dave Anspaugh
Alro Steel

NEOGEN’s Julie MannThe Power of Collaboration: It's About Working Together

Join NEOGEN’s Julie Mann as she shares her vision for the future of addressing workforce challenges. Collaboration with other regional employers is foundational to the success of the industry and creates a powerful opportunity for leadership development and employee retention. It’s not about the individual; it’s about working together.
 

The Luminous Group's Murray Sittsamer and Elizabeth SollishTraining Enhancement and Mentoring System

The Luminous Group pioneered the TEaMS program, short for “Training Enhancement and Mentoring System,” aimed at resolving the widening knowledge gap in manufacturing. Discover how TEaMS carefully captures critical manufacturing job elements, crafts tailored knowledge packets, coaches’ new trainers, mentors’ new hires and validates their knowledge and skills. The outcome? A shorter learning curve, higher safety, improved quality, and greater productivity. Attendees will enjoy an interactive small team activity which highlights aspects of the TEaMS process. Join The Luminous Group’s Murray Sittsamer and Elizabeth Sollish as they demonstrate how TEaMS could help enhance your operator training program by reducing variation in training outcomes and greatly reduce the learning curve.

Participants heard from Humphrey Products’ Dave Maurer, Southwest Michigan First’s Jill Bland, Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Kate Miller, Kalamazoo Promise’s Sarah Klerk, Kalamazoo RESA’s Eric Stewart and Michigan Works! Southwest’s Jakki Bungart-Bibb at the MMA Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Kalamazoo.

Date and Location
  • Tuesday, May 21
  • Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center

Case Study

How Humphrey Products Has Addressed Workforce Challenges

Learn how Humphrey Products, Southwest Michigan First, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Promise, Kalamazoo RESA and Michigan Works! Southwest collaborated to create a local talent pipeline solutions.

Humphrey Products’ Dave Maurer
Dave Maurer
Humphrey Products
Southwest Michigan First’s Jill Bland
Jill Bland
Southwest Michigan First

Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Kate Miller
Kate Miller
Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo Promise’s Sarah Klerk
Sarah Klerk
Kalamazoo Promise

Kalamazoo RESA’s Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart
Kalamazoo RESA

Michigan Works! Southwest’s Jakki Bungart-Bibb
Jakki Bungart-Bibb
Michigan Works! Southwest

Attendees heard from Aircraft Precision Products’ Bill Henderson, Avalon & Tahoe’s Brian Sheets, Alma Tire Companies’ Seth Godley, Clare-Gladwin RESD’s Eric Johnson, Gratiot/Isabella RESD’s Paul Hungerford and more at the MMA Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Mount Pleasant.

Date and Location
  • Thursday, May 30
  • Bucks Run Golf Club • Mount Pleasant
Industry Panel

Advocating for today’s youth as it pertains to their career technical instruction is what will drive Michigan manufacturing into the future. Local manufacturers are passionate about making connections between students, educators and industry leaders who share that vision!

Aircraft Precision Products’ Bill Henderson
Bill Henderson
Aircraft Precision Products Inc.
Avalon and Tahoe Manufacturing’s Jill Bland
Brian Sheets
Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing

Alma Tire Companies’ Seth Godley
Seth Godley
Alma Tire Companies

Education Panel

Gratiot-Isabella and Clare-Gladwin RESDs work closely with economic development groups to to enhance career and technical education (CTE) through diverse avenues. This partnership facilitates work-based learning opportunities, enabling students to gain practical experience in their chosen fields.

Gratiot-Isabella RESD’s Paul Hungerford
Paul Hungerford
Gratiot-Isabella RESD

Clare-Gladwin RESD’ Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson
Clare-Gladwin RESD

Thank You to Our 2024 Workforce Solutions Regional Meetings Sponsors

2023 Event Sponsors

Blue Cross Blue Shield Human Element MetLife
Sponsorship Opportunities

Support manufacturing growth and innovation with sponsorship and engagement opportunities available throughout the year. Develop a comprehensive plan to build your brand, solidify your image and increase your engagement with Michigan manufacturers. Work with MMA’s team to build a package with multiple event sponsorship, thought leadership and advertising opportunities available. Contact MMA’s Ashley Wakefield to build your brand strategy.

Contact for Sponsorship

Ashley Wakefield

Ashley Wakefield
Director of Membership, Marketing & Events
Call 517-487-8523
E-mail wakefield@mimfg.org

Contact for Registration

Elizabeth Maciejewski

Elizabeth Maciejewski
Membership & Events Coordinator
Call 517-487-8542
E-mail maciejewski@mimfg.org
 

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