November 2023 Volume 5

FOUNDATION NEWS

Macomb Community College Skilled Trades and Advanced Technology Center Grand Opening

Katherine Lorenzo, Chair of the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees, and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel also spoke during the event. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a reception and toured the facility, including classroom demonstrations. The state of Michigan and the educational institution jointly invested over $44 million in the technical center, with a focus on automation and robotics. The facility replicates a typical manufacturing setting, providing students with hands-on experience to better prepare them for the workforce. FIA-FIERF has partnered with the MCC Foundation, offering nine scholarships to MCC students. MCC's future plans include developing forging automation curriculum to enhance industry skills.

On August 11th, approximately 200 individuals gathered to mark the opening of the Macomb Community College Skilled Trades and Advanced Technology Center, housed in the formerly dormant R, S, and T buildings. Among the guests were FIA's President & CEO, Jim Warren, and Government Affairs Manager, Megha Patel. The center's main goal is to offer students programs for careers in advanced manufacturing, technology, and skilled trades. It incorporates modern environmental infrastructure to align with Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution.

For more information on FIERF and community college partnerships, please contact Amanda Dureiko at amanda@forging.org.

Pictured: Megha Patel, Government Affairs Manager, Forging Industry Association, Donald Hutchinson, Ed.D., Dean, Engineering & Advanced Technology, Macomb Community College, Patrick Rouse, M.Ed., Director, Workforce & Continuing Education, Engineering & Advanced Technology, Macomb Community College, and Jim Warren, President & CEO, Forging Industry Association

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2023 68