Michigan EV Jobs Academy to host special North American International Auto Show event

Industry stakeholders and the public invited to September 14 event spotlighting opportunities in Michigan’s electric vehicle and mobility industry

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has announced an upcoming public event that will spotlight career opportunities supported through the State of Michigan grant-funded EV Jobs Academy initiative to build the talent pipeline for manufacturing and repairing electrified vehicles.

"The EV Jobs Academy is an innovative initiative to connect Michiganders with good-paying, high-skill jobs building the cars, trucks, and batteries of the future,” said Governor Whitmer. “By bringing workforce development and industry together, we can fill talent needs to keep growing our economy and advancing our mobility leadership. This academy, the EV/Mobility Talent Action Team, our bipartisan economic development work, and other actions are helping us show the world that anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

The Energizing a Sustainable EV & Mobility Workforce Ecosystem event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North American International Auto Show located at Huntington Place (1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 in room 420A).

The EV Jobs Academy is dedicated to equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the EV and mobility industries. The employer-led collaborative is designed to provide Michiganders with tuition assistance and supportive services, including “earn while you learn” opportunities through registered apprenticeship programs, to support and streamline onramps to high-wage and in-demand careers. Learn more about the EV Jobs Academy at www.michigan.gov/evjobsacademy.

The program is part of Team Michigan’s ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive ecosystem in the state, from the EV/Mobility Talent Action Team to efforts being spearheaded by partners like MICHAuto, that delivers a strong workforce for industry partners and positions the state as the best place for talent to build rewarding careers with a quality of life to match.

“As the industry continues to evolve and grow, the EV Jobs Academy stands as a beacon of innovation and opportunity,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “We hope anyone interested in learning more about the great opportunities available in Michigan’s rapidly-growing electric vehicle and mobility industry will join us as we look forward to a future of continued collaboration and success.”

This gathering will provide a platform for industry leaders and stakeholder partners who will join LEO to illustrate the progress the EV Jobs Academy has made in developing and scaling electric vehicle and mobility training in Michigan and deliver a special resolution by honorary dignitaries:

• Henry Ford College President, Russell Kavalhuna
• Monroe County Community College President, Kojo Quartey
• Mott Community College President, Beverly Walker-Griffea
• Oakland Community College Chancellor, Peter Provenzano
• Washtenaw Community College President, Rose Bellanca
• Jennifer Llewellyn, Oakland County Michigan Works! Director
• Greg Pitoniak, SEMCA Michigan Works! CEO

“Michigan has a rich history of manufacturing excellence, and it's crucial that our workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future. This means creating pathways for everyone – from young talent to assembly line workers – to understand and engage with the mobility industry,” said Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer with the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. “Through collaborative public-private partnerships and events like these, we will continue to ensure that the electrified future of mobility is developed, tested and deployed by our highly-skilled workforce here in Michigan.”

Event attendees will have the opportunity to learn about high demand occupations, hiring demand, education and training programs and funding opportunities. Employer-led collaboratives are designed to bring together academia, industry, workforce agencies, and other stakeholder partners to develop postsecondary education and certification training programs that lead to middle and high wage employment opportunities.

"The auto show session will feature prominent speakers on the EV Jobs Academy strategy, deliverables, and impact of this initiative to grow Michigan’s workforce,” said Michele Economou Ureste, Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) Executive Director.

The Energizing a Sustainable EV & Mobility Workforce Ecosystem event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at winintelligence.org. If attendees are interested in venturing to the Auto Show exhibit floor following the EV session, a Technology Day pass can be purchased through naias.com.

This event is made possible with the generous sponsorship of Amatrol, ATS-LAB Midwest, and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).

For media inquiries about this event, please contact Alysha Albrecht, WIN Communications Manager at Alysha.Albrecht@winintelligence.org, or call 313.495.8603. 

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QUOTES FROM EV JOBS ACADEMY PARTNERS

“SEMCA is committed to advancing the development of talent, particularly from historically excluded communities, for the fast-growing EV industry. The key role we have in both the EV Jobs Academy and Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) initiatives allows us to help maximize the coordination of these efforts,” expressed Greg Pitoniak, SEMCA Chief Executive Officer. 

“As the world’s leader in career and technical training, Amatrol remains committed to developing unparalleled training solutions for the constantly evolving manufacturing sector. With experienced partners like ATS-LAB Midwest and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), Amatrol looks forward to providing comprehensive curriculum and industry-standard training systems that teach the hands-on skills students and workers need to earn certifications and hit the ground running in tomorrow’s EV battery and vehicle manufacturing facilities,” stated Kent Powell, Amatrol Vice President of Global Sales.

“Henry Ford College is proud to work with our partners in industry, education, and government to prepare the skilled workforce of the future,” stated Russell Kavalhuna, Henry Ford College President. “Efforts such as the EV Jobs Academy will help keep Michigan at the forefront of vehicle technology and manufacturing, which will attract workers and retain talent in our state. The EV Jobs Academy is a winning formula for industry, education, and Michigan's citizens.”

“Jackson College acknowledges that fostering innovation and effectiveness requires collaborative efforts with industry partners and professionals. We are thrilled to be part of the EV Jobs Academy, as it exemplifies the power of such partnerships, harnessing the strengths of both the college and industry experts,” expressed Jeremy Frew, Chief Academic and Student Services Officer at Jackson College.

“Lansing Community College is delighted to see the EV Jobs Academy’s progress in preparing Michigan’s workforce for the endless opportunities available in the EV industry,” Lansing Community College President Steve Robinson said. “We share their collaborative zeal for creating a pipeline of talent, equipped with the skillset employers need. As one of seven community colleges nationwide to receive a grant from General Motors to study ways to offer advanced manufacturing credentials to our students, we understand and support the EV Jobs Academy’s achievements in developing and scaling credentialing programs.”

“Macomb Community College is a committed partner in preserving and growing the Metro Detroit region’s pre-eminence in the automotive industry during its evolution into the mobility sector of the future,” said James O. Sawyer IV, Ed.D., Macomb Community College President. “Collaboration with employers, industry organizations and joint initiatives, such as the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s EV Jobs Academy, as well as support from the National Science Foundation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Talent Action Team are integral to our efforts in developing training to cultivate new talent and to transition skills of incumbent automotive workers to keep pace with the burgeoning electric vehicle industry.”

"At Monroe County Community College, we recognize the importance of the EV Jobs Academy within the entire auto industry and the future of our state, nation, and world. As the only higher education institution in Monroe County, we’re proudly leading our community into the future of EVs by preparing students for future jobs in this industry and developing an innovative curriculum in partnership with WIN, Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative (D3C3), and our industry partners such as DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and several municipalities,” said Kojo Quartey, Monroe County Community College President.

“The investment by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity in the electric vehicle industry is very exciting,” said Mott Community College (MCC) President Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea. “MCC supports talent development in the EV industry through two new training programs, EV Battery Technician and EV Technician, and is dedicated to ongoing collaboration with partners from the Workforce Intelligence Network and the EV Jobs Academy to further cultivate sustainable transportation solutions for the future.”

“We believe in the power of collaboration at Oakland Community College. Working together with the partners of the EV Jobs Academy we continue to add, adapt and maintain the many education and training programs that lead to careers in the electric vehicle and automotive industry,” said Peter Provenzano, Chancellor, Oakland Community College. “The availability of skilled talent is critical for our industries to compete and needed for our community and students to prosper.”

"We are focusing on preparing individuals at the technician level to support the growing needs in EV and Mobility, as well as getting the younger generation excited about working in this ever-growing field through special hands-on events," said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. "Preparing our students to work in cutting-edge fields has long been part of our mission, and EV and Mobility is just the next logical step."

“Advancing the EV ecosystem throughout the state and nation requires all of us stepping up together to embrace our roles. The EV Jobs Academy uniquely positions WCC to expand education and prepare a highly-skilled workforce by supporting curriculum development and instructor training. This is crucial for our forthcoming new programs – EV charging station, EV battery technician and semiconductor manufacturing technician – as well as emerging automotive service and product development technician programs,” said Washtenaw Community College President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca.

“Recently, BMW North America Regional Vice President Broderick McKinney and Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Project Chairman John Graves have joined forces with Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) in metro Detroit. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to train the next generation of Advanced EV Technicians, addressing the surging demand for electric vehicle servicing,” stated Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor, WCCCD. “This program will change the landscape of the community, students’ lives, and create new employment possibilities in the city, region, state, and nation.”