Promising Practices in Advanced Manufacturing 

One of the major goals of the Learning Communities is to share opportunities for collaboration and/or replication of promising practices in order to help manufacturers (and their support organizations) adapt to the changing economy.

The following is a list of programs in Mid Michigan which have been highlighted and shared by the Advanced Manufacturing Learning Community.  Please click on the links to read comments from the individual organizations, or to visit their website.

Please click here to suggest other organizations and programs in Michigan (or beyond) who are successfully using innovative approaches in (1) skilled workforce recruitment and retainment, or  (2) market diversification.

Promising Practices

Fullerton Tool R&D Project

Fullerton Tool has developed an R& D program focusing but not limited to four major manufacturing industries including: aerospace, medical, automotive, and mold and die.  The program includes a state of the art machining center where local interns run Fullerton tools on a FX2216 Fadal. 

Fullerton Tool chose this project to develop:Innovative high performance cutting tools; Training programs and a database of optimal machine parameters; On-site customer specific tool testing for difficult to machine materials and Internal tooling needs to enhance Fullerton’s Lean techniques.  Our partners are Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College, and the Wired Grant Program.  Fullerton Tool expects to develop superior cutting tools for diverse applications in all major manufacturing sectors allowing us to compete in today’s global market.  In addition, with the lack of experience in today’s workforce, we hope our program will produce experienced future employees and customers. 

This project can be replicated at universities or colleges that have a CNC program in conjunction with a quality cutting tool manufacturer. And in a broader context, it could be replicated by having work study students or interns from a local high school, career center, college or university work with a company on R & D or continuous improvement initiatives.  Fullerton Tool would look forward to any application of difficult to machine materials.  Companies could donate material to use in our test lab.  Also, any additional funding would enhance and accelerate the program. 

Additional information about this company can be found at http://www.fullertontool.com.

Michigan Manufacturers Association:  "Makin' It in Michigan"

“Makin’ It In Michigan” is an promotional campaign that targets middle and high school students, parents, teachers and guidance counselors regarding the many career opportunities available in manufacturing and the skills needed to obtain these jobs.

Informing these groups that careers in the manufacturing sector go well beyond production jobs to include such career areas as research and development, marketing and sales, accounting, programming, law, training and labor relations is a key element to the program.

Makin’ It In Michigan (MIIM) is comprised of in-school presentations, advanced manufacturing facility tours, a manufacturing careers-focused Web site (www.makinitinmichigan.com), informational brochures and a tri-annual e-newsletter, sent to high schools across the state.

Please click here to visit the Michigan Manufacturers Association website.  Click here to read a synopsis of the Makin' It in Michigan program, as presented to the Advanced Manufacturing Learning Community on September 21, 2007.

Delta College: Pre-Apprentice Skilled Trades Certificate Program

Delta college saw a need to prepare students for the engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades and industrial technology areas. 

To prepare students and working adults, Delta developed two pre-apprentice skilled trades certificates:  Electrical and Mechanical.  Delta is helping companies in the Saginaw Valley and beyond to become more competitive and productive through an educated workforce.  Addtionally, Delta is helping students to become more aware of the great career opportunities in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.

Read Delta's description of their Pre-Apprentice Certificate program here, or visit the Delta College website.

The Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

The Center for Automotive Research, a nonprofit organization, is focused on a wide variety of important trends and changes related to the automobile industry and society at the international, federal, state and local levels. CAR conducts industry research, develops new methodologies, forecasts industry trends, advises on public policy, and sponsors multi-stakeholder communication forums. CAR staff possesses expertise in manufacturing systems, economics and business policies, transportation systems, supply chain relationships and general policy assessment. 

CAR is involved in the research of significant issues that relate to the future direction of the global automotive industry.  CAR's automotive industry research studies are performed by distinct groups and programs: Economics & Business; Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology; Transportation and Information Systems Planning.  These studies are available to the public.  For more information, visit the CAR website.

Baker College and U.S. Department of Labor, State of Michigan Office of Apprenticeship

Baker College and the Office of Apprenticeship (OA)  are partnering to create a “demand driven” workforce investment system that meets the  workforce needs of the 21st Century.  Baker College is the State’s largest private, independent college specializing in training and education for an ever-changing workplace.  Baker's mission is to train people for meaningful careers.

Baker College and the Office of Apprenticeship are leveraging learning through their continuum of education services adapted to meet the needs of students and the demands of employers, including opportunities in apprenticeship, journeyperson, Bachelors degree, Masters degree, lifelong learning and more.  Learn more at the Baker College website or visit the Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration) Michigan Office of Apprenticeship.