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The MMA Workforce Solutions Summit is a full day event dedicated to strengthening Michigan’s manufacturing workforce through engaging discussions, tailored breakout sessions and actionable strategies.
Building on years of advocating for talent resources for Michigan manufacturers, this summit will explore how employers can develop resilient talent pipelines, cultivate collaborative networks and support a thriving workforce ecosystem.
Industry leaders, workforce experts, educators and community partners from across the state will come together to share real-world insights and innovative approaches to talent attraction, development and retention.
Pricing & Details
Date, Location and Time
Thursday, September 18, 2025
L.V. Eberhard Center
Grand Valley State University: Pew Campus
301 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids
Pricing
- $175/person for MMA Industry & Associate Members
- $275/person for MMA Insurance and Future members
- Save $25/person when 3 or more registrations are purchased at one time
Early Bird Special!
Save $25/person when
you
register by July 24!
Register Today
Hotel Block
A room block is available at the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown. Use this link to reserve at the special MMA rate.
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Breakfast and Registration
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8:00 a.m.
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Breakfast and Registration
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Welcome
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8:45 a.m.
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Welcome
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Morning Keynote
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8:50 a.m.
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Keynote: Inside the Manufacturing Mind: Shifts Impacting Workforce Readiness
Ryan Pohl • Praeco Skills |
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Break
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9:40 a.m.
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Networking Break
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Breakout Session #1
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10:00 a.m.
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Reconnecting Students to the Trades: The Case for Shop Class
Ellen Campbell • Campbell Press Repair
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Workforce Without Limits: How One Company Built a Talent Strategy that Works
Ryan Pohl • Praeco Skills
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Talent 4.0: Building a Connected Workforce Ecosystem
Dr. Mo Abuali • Tech Mahindra Consulting
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Break
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11:00 a.m.
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Networking Break
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Breakout Session #2
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11:20 a.m.
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Closing Skills Gaps with Customized Apprenticeship Strategies
Kaylee Cooper • Frontline Training Solutions
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Workforce at Risk: The Childcare Gap
Jenny Geno • Hemlock Semiconductor
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Building Better Workforces Through Collaboration and Leadership
Bill Henderson • Aircraft Precision Products
Harry Leaver • Central Michigan Manufacturers Association
Julie Mann • Lead with Collective
Bill Rayl • MMA
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Lunch
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12:20 p.m.
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Networking Lunch
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Breakout Session #3
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1:40 p.m.
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Retooling your Talent Acquisition Pipeline: Strategies for Connecting with Veterans, Returning Citizens, and Seasoned Professionals
Elizabeth Williams • Rehmann
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Turning Team Leaders into Trainers: The TEaMS Advantage
Jeff Clark • Case Systems
John Zaremba • Case Systems
Bob Peery • The Luminous Group
Elizabeth Sollish • The Luminous Group
Bill Rayl • MMA (moderator)
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How Community Partnerships are Powering Manufacturing Talent Pipelines
Kim Bode • 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications
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Break
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2:40 p.m.
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Networking Break
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Breakout Session #4
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3:00 p.m.
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Harnessing Global Talent: Legal Pathways and Workforce Integration for Michigan Manufacturers
Sarah Bileti • Warner Norcross + Judd
Moses Lee • Michigan Language Center
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Attract, Engage & Retain: Strategies for Building a Strong Workforce
Denise Cowburn • Tooling U-SME Society of Manufacturing Engineers
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From Gaps to Growth: Mapping Your Workforce Ecosystem
Carly Smyly • TalentFirst
Jeremy Hendges • TalentFirst
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Closing
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4:15 p.m.
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Closing Remarks
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Inside the Manufacturing Mind: Shifts Impacting Workforce Readiness
Praeco Skills’ Ryan Pohl explores the hidden cultural and neurological forces behind manufacturing’s ongoing talent shortage. This keynote session examines how shifting societal norms, negative perceptions of the industry and the decline of hands-on experiences have impacted the development of workforce-ready skills. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the “Manufacturing Mind” and discover practical strategies, tools and real-world examples to help reshape talent development and rebuild a sustainable pipeline for the future.
Reconnecting Students to the Trades: The Case for Shop Class
Campbell Press Repair’s Ellen Campbell examines how modern employer workforce strategies can reconnect the skilled trades pipeline lost in the 1980s. With renewed focus on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), this session explores national examples and Michigan-based opportunities to reintroduce shop classes in middle schools and expand CTE access for 9th and 10th grade students – and why employers must be part of the process. Attendees will gain insight into building sustainable talent pipelines through early and meaningful exposure to skilled trades education.
Talent 4.0: Building a Connected Worker Ecosystem
In the rapidly evolving landscape of manufacturing, Talent 4.0 represents a shift in workforce development and the talent ecosystem, leveraging the latest in Industry 4.0 and AI technologies. Tech Mahindra’s Dr. Mo Abuali will explore the critical components necessary to move beyond siloed workforce efforts and create a connected talent infrastructure that aligns with industry needs, all while delving into practical strategies and real-world case studies within workforce development, talent ecosystems, collaboration, and community building.
Workforce Without Limits: How One Company Built a Talent Strategy that Works
Building on the keynote session, Praeco Skills’ Ryan Pohl will lead an interactive panel featuring Franchino Mold and Engineering Company’s (FMEC) Mike Hetherington and Brad Rusthoven. FMEC is an MMA member company in Lansing that has successfully overcome workforce limitations through a disciplined and sustained talent strategy. Using the Talent On Purpose assessment tool, this case study highlights FMEC’s approach to solving the skills shortage and sustaining growth. Attendees will engage directly with FMEC company leaders for actionable insights and peer-driven solutions.
Closing Skills Gaps with Customized Apprenticeship Strategies
Frontline Training Solutions’ Kaylee Cooper shares how apprenticeship programs can serve as a sustainable solution to the skilled talent shortage. With firsthand experience building customized programs for manufacturers, she will outline how apprenticeships develop internal talent, close critical skills gaps and boost retention. Attendees will gain strategies to create a culture of mentorship and long-term workforce sustainability through practical, proven apprenticeship models.
Workforce at Risk: The Childcare Gap
Hemlock Semiconductor’s Jenny Geno explores how integrating childcare solutions into workforce strategies can boost productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve retention. This session highlights the economic and organizational benefits of supporting working parents — from increased workforce participation to greater employee well-being. Attendees will gain practical approaches for implementing childcare benefits that attract talent and foster a more stable, loyal workforce.
Building Better Workforces Through Collaboration and Leadership
Employer-Led Collaboratives (ELC) are addressing shared workforce challenges, leveraging state funding to enhance regional workforce skills and leadership capacity. Hear from ELC thought leaders including Bill Rayl of MMA, Harry Leaver of the Central Michigan Manufacturers Association, Bill Henderson of Aircraft Precision Products and Julie Mann from Lead with Collective, and gain practical insights and measurable outcomes from ELC efforts making a real impact for manufacturers in two Michigan regions.
Retooling your Talent Acquisition Pipeline: Strategies for Connecting with Veterans, Returning Citizens, and Seasoned Professionals
Rehmann’s Elizabeth Williams shares practical strategies for expanding talent pipelines by engaging veterans, returning citizens and seasoned professionals. This session highlights the unique strengths these candidates bring to manufacturing teams and offers proven approaches for recruitment, retention and engagement. Attendees will learn how to leverage local partnerships, community resources and apprenticeship programs to tap into these underutilized talent pools and strengthen workforce performance across their organizations.
Turning Team Leaders into Trainers: The TEaMS Advantage
Moderated by MMA’s Bill Rayl, this panel discussion features confirmed speakers Elizabeth Sollish of The Luminous Group and John Zaremba and Jeff Clark of Case Systems, with additional panelists to be announced. Learn how Case Systems has implemented Luminous’ Training Enhancement and Mentoring System (TEaMS) program as a model for workforce development success. This session explores how TEaMS turns team leaders into job trainers, enhances retention, supports neurodiverse and cross-generational learners, and aligns with lean principles.
How Community Partnerships are Powering Manufacturing Talent Pipelines
8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications’ Kim Bode explores how authentic community partnerships can solve manufacturing’s most persistent workforce challenges. This session moves beyond surface-level outreach to showcase real-world examples of how strategic engagement can drive recruitment, skill development and retention. Attendees will gain practical insights into building meaningful local connections that deliver lasting talent pipeline results.
Attract, Engage & Retain: Strategies for Building a Strong Workforce
Tooling U-SME’s Denise Cowburn shares proven strategies to attract, engage and retain top talent in today’s evolving manufacturing workforce. This session highlights real-world practices from manufacturers across Michigan and beyond that are building sustainable workforces through upskilling, positive work environments and targeted retention strategies. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to become employers of choice in a highly competitive talent market.
From Gaps to Growth: Mapping Your Workforce Ecosystem
TalentFirst’s Carly Smyly and Jeremy Hendges lead a dynamic, hands-on session to help manufacturers adopt a skills-based approach to workforce development. Attendees will map their own talent ecosystems, identify workforce gaps across the employee lifecycle, and explore strategies to strengthen the adult talent pipeline. This session offers a practical roadmap for building a resilient, business-aligned talent supply chain that supports long-term growth and measurable impact.
Harnessing Global Talent: Legal Pathways and Workforce Integration for Michigan Manufacturers
With Michigan’s manufacturers facing growing labor demands, international talent presents a vital opportunity to strengthen and diversify the workforce. Warner Norcross + Judd’s Sarah Bileti and the Michigan Language Center’s Moses Lee will explore both ends of the talent pipeline — recruitment and retention. Learn how immigration pathways, including visa options for both skilled and unskilled workers, can support your hiring needs and how to navigate regulatory barriers and leverage strategies like L visas and TPS programs. Then, take a deeper look into how manufacturers can retain and empower non-native English speakers through effective onboarding, career development, and cross-cultural communication practices.
Get More Workforce Solutions from MMA
Collaborative Network
Through connection, collaboration and community, MMA has created the Workforce Solutions Collaborative Network framework in communities across the state. Have a hand in growing your future workforce — learn more.
Employee Training and Development
Navigate the gaps between workforce supply and demand with MMA’s quality and experienced partners. Develop the strongest and most competitive manufacturing workforce in the world — learn more.
2025 Event Sponsors
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Ashley Wakefield
Director of Membership, Marketing & Events
Call 517-487-8523
E-mail wakefield@mimfg.org