Technician Training Program Provides New Career Opportunities

Technician Training Program Provides New Career Opportunities

Oakland County Michigan Works! PLC and Robotics Technician Training Program Provides New Career Opportunities

Pontiac, Michigan – Unemployed or underemployed persons interested in pursuing a new post-pandemic career in the robotics industry are invited to apply for a spot in an upcoming training program for programmable logic controller (PLC) and robotics technicians, both of which are in high demand across southeast Michigan.

The program is administered by Oakland County Michigan Works!, in partnership with Oakland Community College (OCC) and the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan. Since its launch in 2017, the program has graduated 129 people, with 80 percent now working full-time in the field. The next cohort starts on July 19.

“During this year’s Oakland County Economic Outlook presentation, economists from the University of Michigan noted that automation will continue to play a significant role in manufacturing operations,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “This training program presents an ideal opportunity for people impacted by the pandemic to obtain new skills and pursue a new career path in our region.”

Federal and state grants cover the 14-week program’s $7,000 tuition for eligible participants, who must have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to classroom work, 70 percent of the instruction takes place in robotics labs at OCC.

“This is a very hands-on training program and those who complete it acquire the certifications needed to step right into a variety of jobs with robotics manufacturers and system integrators in our region,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works! “Once hired, they often have the opportunity to continue their education and obtain advanced degrees, leading to additional career advancement.”

According to OCC Program Manager Kristen Charlton, many robotics-related positions in southeast Michigan are in automotive manufacturing, but she said demand for PLC and robotics technicians is expanding quickly into other industries, including the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, food preparation and e-commerce fulfilment.

Several of the training program’s most recent graduates secured full-time employment with Amazon, which has opened several distribution centers in southeast Michigan. Other companies that have hired program graduates include Treva Corporation, Encore Automation, American Axle, Magna Cosma, Gabletek, Esys Automation, ABB, FANUC America, and Tyson Foods, among others. Starting pay ranges from $19-$25 per hour, with experienced PLC and robotics technicians earning up to $35 per hour.

“Employers like the fact that our curriculum covers both PLC and robotics technician functions and we take a big picture look at preparing our students,” Charlton said. “We try to remain flexible, so we can adjust our curriculum and skills development to the changing needs of the employers who hire many of our students upon graduation.”

Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford. Combined, they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information.

The service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking assistance with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.

Service center staff remain available by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a virtual meeting, call 1-248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. The service centers are hosting several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.

About OCC

Offering nearly 100 degrees and certificates, OCC is Michigan’s largest multi-campus community college and No. 1 transfer institution in the state. The College provides academic, career training and enriching experiences, designed to empower students to reach their potential and enhance our community. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. A seven-person Board of Trustees governs OCC. Board members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis, serve as volunteers and are not paid. Mission statement: OCC is committed to empowering our students to succeed and advancing our community. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.

Oakland County Launches “Local Business Connect” Program

Oakland County Launches “Local Business Connect” Program

Oakland County Launches “Local Business Connect” Program, Bringing Support And Resources To Seven Communities

Waterford, Michigan – Oakland County is launching a series of free Local Business Connect community events next week to bring valuable support and resources directly to small business owners emerging from the pandemic. The program, which runs from 8:00-10:30 a.m., includes stops at the following :

  • Tuesday, July 13, Oak Park City Hall Campus Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park
  • Wednesday, July 14, Embassy Suites by Hilton, 850 Tower Drive, Troy
  • Thursday, July 15, Baker’s of Milford Restaurant, 2025 S. Milford Rd., Milford
  • Tuesday, July 20, Flagstar Strand Theatre for The Performing of Arts, 12 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac
  • Wednesday, July 21, Old Town Hall, 486 Mill St., Ortonville
  • Thursday, July 22, Lake Orion United Methodist Church, 140 E. Flint St., Lake Orion
  • Wednesday, July 28, Salvation Army, 27500 Shiawassee Rd., Farmington Hills

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our county and we recognize the many challenges they face as they emerge from the pandemic,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “Local Business Connect will offer fresh ideas to help our businesses bounce back and flourish. Over the long term, we want to make this program a mainstay in Oakland County’s economic development strategy.”

Session titles and speakers include:

  • “Financial Management,” by Meri Dembrow, senior business consultant, Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Lansing. She will provide examples of financial analysis for marketing and pricing.
  • “A Short, Action-Oriented Business Plan,” by Diana Dimitroff, senior business consultant, SBDC, Lansing. She will discuss revisiting a business plan while emerging from the pandemic and making changes to operations; welcoming past customers and attracting new ones.
  • “Maximizing Your Online Presence,” by Son Tran, founder of Pitch Black Media, Ferndale. He will discuss properly listing your business online, growing location-based searches, and optimizing your digital marketing channels.

In addition to the speakers, several other professionals will be on hand to meet with attendees for information sharing and networking. These include representatives from the Oakland County Department of Economic Development’s leadership team, as well as CEED Lending, Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Oakland County, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, Michigan Small Business Development Center, Oakland County Business Finance Corporation, Oakland County Michigan Works!, Oakland County Veterans’ Services, and Pitch Black Media.

“The tenacity and resolve shown by our business owners—utilizing all the resources and support from their chambers and downtown economic development organizations—has gotten them to the other side of the pandemic challenges. We owe it to them to keep the resources and information flowing so they can move forward and thrive,” said Joy Wells, executive director of the South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The business community is grateful for the continued support from Oakland County, including the launch of the Local Business Connect program. The chamber and county partnership will play an important role in the recovery of our business community.”

Pre-registration is required. To register, go to OakGov.com/SmallBusiness. For information, small business owners may contact Erick Phillips at [email protected].

According to the Small Business Pulse Survey, administered by the U.S. Census Bureau last month, small businesses in Michigan are faced with challenges beyond a worker shortage. In the next six months, 27 percent say they must increase marketing or sales; 20 percent say supply chain issues also are a concern. Likewise, the need to make a capital expenditure is an issue for 20 percent of respondents. Financial assistance or additional capital will be an expected challenge for 10.4 percent of the state respondents.

Despite this, some Michigan small businesses are bullish on their operations returning to a pre-pandemic level. The survey reported 24 percent of respondents saying things have already returned to normal. Others have taken a more measured approach, with 5.5 percent saying business will return to a normal level of operation in 2-3 months, while 12 percent say this will occur within 4-6 months. There are many, however, with pessimistic outlooks: 34.1 percent think it will take more than six months for normal operations to return; 8.6 percent do not think normal operations will ever return.

“This U.S. Census Bureau survey indicates small businesses continue to face a number of real challenges, even as Michigan has eliminated its pandemic restrictions and life is starting to return to normal,” said Oakland County Economic Development Director Ingrid Schuster Tighe. “Our goal is to help accelerate their recovery by introducing them to experts who have proven, real-world strategies for helping them tackle these issues head-on and succeed.”

The Mackinac Bridge Walk is back for 2021

The Mackinac Bridge Walk is back for 2021

Mackinac Bridge Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021

 

CONTACT: Kim Nowack, Mackinac Bridge Authority, 906-643-7600

 

The Mackinac Bridge Walk is back for 2021

 

July 9, 2021 — The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) board today enthusiastically confirmed that the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk will go on as scheduled this Labor Day, Sept. 6.

               Board members welcomed the end of pandemic restrictions that will allow the event, citing its importance to the Straits area economy and the eagerly anticipated return of a beloved Michigan tradition. The board heard an update from staff today about ongoing preparations for the walk during its regular meeting at Mackinac Island City Hall.

               Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was among the first to celebrate the news.

               “The Bridge Walk is back!” said Whitmer. “I am thrilled that the Mackinac Bridge Authority has enabled the Labor Day Bridge Walk, a cherished tradition, to move forward this year. After the year we have all had, I know how excited we are to get back to activities and attending events that we all love. Michigan is putting one foot in front of the other as we continue our economic jumpstart, and I am so glad that we can enjoy this great tradition to close out a Pure Michigan summer.”

               The news was welcomed locally as well by Kelly Vieau, administrator of the Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce (GMCCC).

               “The GMCCC is excited for the return of the Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk! For more than 60 years it has been a holiday tradition for many people, young and old,” Vieau said. “The GMCCC business owners and residents are thankful it will continue on this year and hopefully for more years to come.”

               Based on the success of the 2018 and 2019 events, the MBA will again start the 2021 Annual Bridge Walk from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminates the need for busing and offers additional options for participants. The bridge walk was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

               A video, posted on the MBA website at www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk, explains the bridge walk schedule and the choices people will have whether they start from the north or south ends of the bridge.

               Walkers essentially have three main options, outlined in the video:

–   Starting from either end of the bridge and walking toward the center, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city they started from, where their transportation is located. The turnaround points will move toward the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if they start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m.

–   Walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end. Those who choose this option must reach the midpoint before 10 a.m. or they will be turned back. Anyone who walks the entire bridge must arrange their own transportation back to the side they started once the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon.

–   Crossing the bridge, starting from either end, and then turning around and walking back to the side they started from. In this option, walkers will need to cross the midpoint on their return trip by 10 a.m. or they will be turned back and need to find their own transportation back across the bridge after it reopens at noon.

               The bridge will again be closed to public traffic during the 2021 walk, from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day, Sept. 6, based on recommendations from the Michigan State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted to cross the bridge, but no public vehicles will be allowed until the walk concludes and participants are off the bridge.

               The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020. The 2021 walk will be the 63rd event. Between 25,000 and 30,000 people have participated in recent years.

 

Biden Appoints Whitmer to Council of Governors 

Biden Appoints Whitmer to Council of Governors 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 8, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

President Biden Appoints Governor Whitmer to Council of Governors 

 

LANSING, Mich. – President Biden today appointed Governor Whitmer to the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group of governors that addresses matters of homeland defense, the National Guard, disaster response, and other safety and security issues. Governor Whitmer will serve a two-year term.

 

“I am honored that President Biden appointed me to the Council of Governors,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office in 2018, I have guided Michigan through multiple disaster response efforts, including extreme polar weather and energy shortages, a 500-year flood, and the COVID-19 pandemic. I welcome the opportunity to work across the aisle to put our nation’s security first and make a difference in the lives of Americans.”

 

The Council of Governors (Council) was created by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 and formally established by Executive Order 13528, issued on January 11, 2010. The Council is intended to serve as a mechanism for governors and key federal officials to address matters pertaining to the National Guard, homeland defense and defense support to civil authorities.

 

The Council consists of 10 governors appointed by the President – five from each party – with two governors serving as co-chairs. The Executive Order specifically names a number of federal participants in the Council, including the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, the President’s Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, among others.

My Office is here to help

My Office is here to help

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Hi there,

Did you know that my office has full-time staff members whose entire job is to help residents of the 8th district navigate federal agencies (think dealing with the IRS, getting a passport, or working on an immigration issue)?

I wanted to introduce one of the newest team members who can help you, Angel Hague. Angel is a Lansing native — and was an intern in our office before joining our team full-time as a caseworker. As an intern, she saw what a difference our staff could make in constituents’ lives, and that experience inspired her to join us full-time.

Here are some of the things our office can help you with:

  • Getting answers or assistance from federal agencies, like the Social Security Administration, IRS, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • If you’re waiting on a determination regarding a Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security Income claim, we can check on the status of your case.
  • If you submitted a tax return and have not received a refund, we can inquire about the status of your return.
  • If you have a VA benefit application pending and the process is taking longer than normal, we can check on the status and find out the reason for delay.

For a full list of the services we can provide you, check out slotkin.house.gov/services.

Our office is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

And if you’d like to share your opinion on an issue, submit a form here or give our office a call at: ​517-993-0510.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin