It Takes a Village

Building a Scalable Manufacturing Talent Pipeline in Northeast Michigan

This article appeared in the June 2026 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

In Northeast Michigan, where manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the regional economy, the challenge is clear: employers need skilled, reliable workers but the traditional talent pipeline isn’t keeping pace. An aging workforce, geographic barriers and persistent skills gaps have made recruitment and retention increasingly difficult — especially in rural communities.

Rather than tackling these challenges in isolation, a coalition of partners is demonstrating what’s possible when systems align. MMA, Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) Adult Education, the Michigan Workforce Training and Education Collaborative (MWTEC) and Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium have come together to build a scalable, sustainable workforce solution rooted in partnership.

At the center of this effort is an integrated model that connects adult education, industry-recognized credentials and apprenticeship pathways — creating a direct bridge from untapped talent pools to in-demand manufacturing careers.

A New Approach to Workforce Development

The foundation of this initiative is the Integrated Education and Training (IET) model, delivered through Iosco RESA Adult Education. IET is designed to meet learners where they are, combining basic skills instruction — such as math, reading and digital literacy — with occupational training and workforce readiness, all delivered concurrently.

This approach is particularly effective in regions like Northeast Michigan, where barriers to employment can include low literacy levels, lack of a high school credential, or limited access to traditional training programs. Adult education serves as the entry point, preparing individuals not just academically, but holistically, for success in the workforce.

Layered onto this model is the Michigan Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate (MARC), a pre-apprenticeship framework that introduces participants to career pathways and prepares them for Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). Together, IET and MARC create a structured, supportive pathway that guides learners from foundational skills to career entry.

Industry-Aligned Training That Delivers

What makes this model especially powerful for manufacturers is its alignment with industry needs. Through the partnership with MWTEC and the use of the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) curriculum from Tooling U-SME®, participants gain exposure to core manufacturing concepts in a flexible, accessible format.

The CMfgA credential is designed to be completed in just a few weeks, offering learners a fast-track introduction to manufacturing while providing employers with a consistent benchmark of foundational skills. Training is delivered online and asynchronously, making it accessible across the region’s eight counties — including in nontraditional settings such as correctional facilities.

Equally important, the program is built with employer input at every stage. From curriculum alignment to program design, manufacturers play a central role in shaping the training to ensure it reflects real-world needs.

A Simple Ask with Big Impact

One of the most compelling aspects of this initiative is how easy it is for employers to get involved. The primary ask? Offer an interview to program graduates.

This low-barrier entry point allows manufacturers to connect directly with a pipeline of pre-screened, entry-level candidates — individuals who have demonstrated commitment, completed foundational training and are ready to take the next step.

“Across the eight counties of Northeast Michigan, manufacturers are searching for reliable talent,” said Whitney Dettmer, Director of Adult Education at Iosco RESA. “Our CMfgA pre-apprenticeship bridges that gap by equipping adult learners with the foundational skills they need to hit the ground running. When employers agree to a simple interview, they aren’t just filling a seat — they are discovering the next generation of skilled tradespeople. It’s a powerful way to change a life while strengthening your business’s future.”

This approach reduces risk for employers while expanding opportunity for participants — many of whom may not have otherwise had access to manufacturing careers.

The Power of Partnership

While each partner brings a unique role to the table, the success of the initiative lies in how those roles intersect.

Adult education providers identify and prepare participants, addressing academic and personal barriers to employment. MMA works directly with manufacturers to understand their workforce needs and connect them to solutions. MWTEC supports training alignment and delivery, ensuring industry relevance. Michigan Works! provides critical wraparound services and helps connect participants to employment opportunities and apprenticeship pathways.

Together, these partners create a seamless ecosystem that supports both employers and job seekers from start to finish.

“This initiative shows what is possible when the right partners align around a shared goal, says Mac Dodds, Executive Director of Workforce Development for MWTEC. “What we’ve built in Northeast Michigan is exactly that, a connected ecosystem where adult education, community organizations, industry-recognized credentials and employer engagement create real career pathways for people who’ve been overlooked by traditional systems. MWTEC is proud to play a role in making that connection work.”

Jeremiah Johnston, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Apprenticeship Specialist whole- heartedly agrees.

“The Northeast Michigan Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a strong example of what can happen when workforce, education and industry partners come together around a shared goal. Through the collaboration between Iosco RESA Adult Education, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and regional partners, participants are gaining hands on exposure to manufacturing careers through Tooling U-SME curriculum, forklift operating training and direct connections to employers across Northeast Michigan,” Johnston said. “This program not only helps job seekers build confidence and industry recognized skills but also creates a stronger talent pipeline for employers while supporting the continued expansion of Registered Apprenticeship opportunities throughout our region.”

Why It Works

For Bill Rayl, MMA Executive Director of Workforce Solutions, the strength of the model lies in its integration.

“The IET model is uniquely effective because it doesn’t separate foundational education from workforce training — it delivers them together, in context and with a clear career pathway in mind,” Rayl said. “When you pair that with the MARC pre-apprenticeship frame- work and the CMfgA curriculum, you create a system that’s directly aligned with the needs of manufacturers. It’s not just training for training’s sake — it’s preparing individuals to succeed in real jobs and giving employers confidence in the talent they’re bringing on.”

This alignment ensures that participants are not only job-ready, but also positioned for long-term success through apprenticeship and career advancement.

Measurable Impact — and Room to Grow

The results to date are promising. Across Northeast Michigan, the partnership has already contributed to the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities, the registration of new employers in apprenticeship programs and the development of career pathways across multiple industries — including manufacturing.

For employers, the benefits are tangible: reduced time-to-hire, improved retention and access to a pipeline of candidates who are both prepared and motivated. For participants, the program offers a pathway to stable, well-paying careers — and a chance to build a future in their own communities.

But perhaps most importantly, the model is scalable.

By leveraging existing systems — adult education, industry credentials and workforce development infrastructure — and aligning them through partnership, this approach can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.

According to Amy Lee, Ed.D, “What makes this model meaningful is that it was designed with long- term sustainability and replication in mind. By aligning training with industry-recognized credentials, incorporating employer input from the start and utilizing existing adult education infrastructure, we’ve created a framework that can be implemented in other communities without starting over each time.”

Looking Ahead

As manufacturers continue to navigate a competitive labor market, solutions like this offer a blueprint for the future — one that prioritizes collaboration, flexibility and alignment with industry needs.

In Northeast Michigan, that blueprint is already taking shape.

What began as a partnership has evolved into a pipeline. And with continued engagement from employers, educators and workforce leaders, it has the potential to transform not just how talent is developed — but how communities thrive. 6