Michigan Celebrates Launch of Manufacturing and Engineering Initiatives

West Michigan Facilities Are Bold Steps Forward
in Career and Technical Education

LANSING – State, local and federal partners today launched the Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All initiative in West Michigan—marking a transformative moment in the state’s commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers in manufacturing and engineering.

The celebration featured two milestone events, a tour of the new Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All Lab at Allendale Middle School in Ottawa County and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Regional Training Center at Kent ISD.

These events showcased the power of early and equitable access to career and technical education (CTE) and the importance of aligning education with workforce demands.

“Expanding opportunities for students to take CTE courses is a one of the top priorities of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE),” said Interim State Superintendent Dr. Sue C. Carnell. “These exciting projects in West Michigan can serve as an example for the entire state. CTE programs prepare students for college and give them access to college-level courses while they are still in high school, in addition to providing them with the knowledge and real-world experience they need for rewarding and well-paid careers.”

MDE is among the key state, local and national leaders who are launching the new lab and the training center. Michigan was the first state to be awarded U.S. Department of Defense funding for a Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All Lab.

At Allendale Middle School, students now have access to a lab that’s the first-of-its-kind in Michigan. They will work with industry-relevant tools and technologies. Through hands-on demonstrations, students will be introduced to real-world applications of manufacturing and engineering, helping them envision future careers in these fields.

The new Regional Training Center at Kent ISD will serve students and educators from Muskegon, Kent and Ottawa counties. This region was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense and other partners for its strong alignment with Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All’s strategic goals, including high-quality CTE programs in machine tool technology, mechatronics, welding, engineering and mechanical drafting across three career tech centers and five public high schools. The collaborative also boasts robust partnerships with postsecondary institutions, offering students clear pathways to industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships and degrees.

West Michigan’s deep manufacturing roots and strong defense sector make it an ideal launchpad for the groundbreaking lab. The region’s alignment with the Michigan Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (MiSTEM) state strategy and its active network of education and industry leaders ensure that STEM learning pathways are directly connected to the state’s evolving workforce needs.

Dr. Michele Harmala, deputy superintendent of MDE’s Division of Educator Excellence, Career and Technical Education, Special Education and Administrative Law, acknowledged the many partners who helped make Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All possible.

Partners include the U.S. Department of Defense, including the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program and the Innovation Capability and Modernization Office, which is providing this innovative program to Michigan. Other partners are the MiSTEM Network, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and TECHnista, the educational consulting firm of implementation specialists whose expertise helped bring the vision to life. The MDE Office of Career and Technical Education aligned partners and program elements toward a shared goal.

Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All directly supports MDE’s plan to expand high-quality CTE programs in underserved areas and close opportunity gaps. It also advances Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Sixty by 30” goal, aiming for 60% of working-age adults to hold a skill certificate or degree by 2030.

In addition, the initiative aligns with Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, particularly Goals 4, 5, and 6: the goals of expanding secondary learning opportunities, increasing high school graduation rates and boosting postsecondary credential attainment. Nationally, Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All supports the goals of the National Imperative for Industrial Skills by elevating the prestige of manufacturing careers and accelerating workforce development.

This launch comes at a time of record growth in CTE participation across Michigan. In the 2024–25 school year, a record 55,431 students completed CTE programs—more than double the number from a decade ago. CTE enrollment also increased for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 114,997 students, just shy of the all-time high of 115,214 set in 2011–12. These milestones reflect the growing momentum behind CTE and the importance of initiatives like Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All in preparing students for meaningful careers in Michigan’s evolving economy.

Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All is more than just a program—it’s a movement. By reimagining how students engage with career pathways from middle school through postsecondary education, Michigan is building a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline for the future.

###