Funding will support three accelerated training programs, creating 80 training opportunities in high-demand skilled trades

North Central Michigan College (NCMC) has been awarded $630,876 through the Michigan Industry-Driven Skills Training Program to expand workforce training in marine service technology, welding and metal fabrication, and computer numerical control (CNC) machining.

The funding will support three accelerated certificate programs, providing 80 training opportunities across 11 planned cohorts through 2028. The initiative is designed to help meet growing demand for skilled workers in northern Michigan’s marine, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the grant will support specialized instructional equipment, instructor training and professional development, and the recruitment of additional industry professionals.

“This award represents an important investment in our students, regional employers, and the economic future of Northern Michigan,” said NCMC President David Roland Finley. “By developing responsive programs and investing in modern training equipment and instructors, North Central is creating accessible pathways into rewarding careers while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need to grow.”

Three Accelerated Career Pathways

The grant will support the following programs:

  • Marine Service Technology: A new 14-week, 200-contact-hour certificate aligned with the American Boat and Yacht Council’s Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology curriculum. Training will cover marine electrical and propulsion systems, electronics, diagnostics, plumbing, rigging, and safety.
  • Welding and Metal Fabrication: A 14-week, 153-contact-hour certificate aligned with American Welding Society Level I competencies and regional industry needs. New welding simulation technology will provide additional opportunities for practice, feedback, and skills assessment.
  • CNC Operator: A 10-week, 80-contact-hour certificate covering manufacturing fundamentals, machine programming and setup, precision measurement, troubleshooting, and quality assurance. The program will complement NCMC’s credit-bearing CNC certificate and provide a pathway to additional credentials.

NCMC plans to launch its first Marine Service Technology cohort in Fall 2027, followed by two additional cohorts in 2028. Together, the programs will help workers develop specialized skills and prepare for careers in skilled trades.

“Marine businesses across Northern Michigan need technicians who are prepared to work with increasingly sophisticated electrical, mechanical, and diagnostic systems,” said Jeremy Anderson, president of Walstrom Marine. “This investment will help create a stronger local talent pipeline and give students an opportunity to develop practical skills connected directly to careers in the marine industry.”

The initiative also supports workforce development in Michigan’s recreational boating industry, where employers depend on technicians with specialized training to maintain and service increasingly complex marine systems.

“The recreational boating industry is an important part of Michigan’s economy, and developing a skilled workforce is critical to its continued success,” said Kelly Kerchoff, workforce development director for the Michigan Boating Industries Association.

The grant builds on North Central’s ongoing expansion of workforce training, including new skilled-trades programming in welding and CNC machining.

“This award is the result of strong partnerships, careful planning, and a shared commitment to creating programs that respond directly to our regional workforce,” said Cassandra Hernandez, dean of Workforce and Continuing Education at NCMC.