Educators, employers and innovators to discuss how to connect with automotive and mobility careers at NAIAS career expo

FACE will feature expert panels highlighting programs for students, adults

TED MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE MURRAY
517-243-7530 | MURRAYD5@MICHIGAN.GOV

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018

LANSING, Mich. – 

People attending the North American International Auto Show can connect with educators, employers and innovators as they pursue careers in the automotive and mobility sectors.

Expert panels will focus on apprenticeships, robotics, degree programs and other opportunities to gain good jobs in evolving fields, and keep Michigan the world leader in the automotive industry.

The auto show’s Future Automotive Career Exposition is included in AutoMobili-D during the first two public days of the auto show in Detroit’s Cobo Hall.  The event is planned for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 20 and 21. Admission to AutoMobili-D is included with the price of a NAIAS ticket.

“FACE is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about all aspects of careers in automotive and mobility,” said Roger Curtis, director of the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development. “People can have conversations with representatives from companies working on the cutting edge of mobility, but also hear from experts on how people from all ages can be inspired and gain in-demand skills for these great careers. There are so many opportunities right here in Michigan.”

About 80 employers, universities and organizations are planning to participate in FACE. After hearing from the experts, people looking for careers will able to connect with links to jobs pages from participating companies to see what positions are open and how they can apply.

Panelists will cover programs focusing on younger Michiganders such as FIRST Robotics through college-aged residents and adults.

10:30 to 11 a.m.: “Udacity Connect.” David Silver, Udacity self-driving Car engineer, will discuss how its blended-learning programs add an in-person element to a nanodegree curriculum and how people can build skills for the mobility industry.

11:10 to 11:50 a.m.: “FIRST Robotics World Championships are coming to Michigan.” Curtis; Gail Alpert, president of FIRST Robotics, Michigan; and Jacob Russel, industrial engineer with Brose; will discuss how the championships and Michigan’s leadership in FIRST Robotics will help build a talented workforce for the future.

Noon to 12:45 p.m.: “How higher education is focusing on mobility.” Washtenaw Community College President Rose Bellanca, WCC student Kali Wealch and Glenn Stevens of MICHauto will discuss the college’s mobility degree program and how it prepares students for careers in this evolving field.

12:55 to 1:35 p.m.: “Developing strong community partnerships.” The Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Shape Corp. Manufacturing will discuss PRIME – Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education – and how the innovative program creates career pathways by connecting industry leaders and school districts. Panelists include Brian Glowiak, vice president, Society of Manufacturing Engineers; Julie Davidson, talent acquisition manager, Shape Corp.; Brent Brasure, Fraser High School director of career and technology education; and Jeremy Case, career and technical education instructor from Grand Haven High School.

1:45 to 2:15 p.m.: “MAT2 and building the talent pipeline.” Representatives from ThyssenKrupp and apprentices in the Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program will discuss how apprenticeships – including MAT2 – are an opportunity for students to gain an education, in-demand skills and a good-paying job without accumulating significant debt. Panelists include Nancy Ostrander, head of human resources for ThyssenKrupp; Myah Hall, MAT2 mechatronics apprentice; and Daniel Gudenau, Oakland University intern at ThyssenKrupp.

2:20 to 2:35 p.m.: “MITES – bridging the skills gap and promoting pathways to careers.” Robert Lindsay, president of the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society, and representatives of the non-profit organization focused on industrial technology, technology and career and technical education helps with the professional development of industrial and technology education staff and curriculum. Panelists include Bryan Monoco, James Thelander and Dustin Warner from MITES.

2:40 to 3 p.m.: “Grand Circus – launching tech careers through training boot camps.” Grand Circus CEO Damien Rocchi discusses how his organization is using partnerships with tech giants like Facebook and Google to prepare Michiganders for the jobs of the future.

3:10 to 3:35 p.m.: “Square One: Driving tomorrow’s industry by investing in today’s youth.” Square One CEO Dan DuBois, COO Barbara Land and Roseville High School instructor Bethany Allen will share how the Michigan-based non-profit is developing talent for tomorrow’s mobility workforce.

3:45 to 4:15 p.m.: “Cultivating tech talent in Michigan.” Marlin Williams, diversity and inclusion entrepreneur-in-residence at TechTown, will discuss how the organization encourages non-traditional candidates to pursue careers in the tech industry. 

AutoMobili-D includes automakers, suppliers and startups – all essential parts of Michigan’s automotive heritage and future.

FACE is a partnership between the Department of Talent and Economic Development, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and NAIAS.

NAIAS attracts people from around the world because Michigan is the global center of the auto industry, home to 75 percent of the world’s automotive research and development. Local employers are looking for people to fill jobs, especially positions requiring science, technology, engineering, and math skills.

FACE is one of the state’s efforts to grow and develop talent, and make people more aware of the opportunities for good jobs. Michigan employers are looking to fill high-skill jobs in many industries, with about 97,000 jobs posted on Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

Additional information can be found on the North American International Auto Show website.