Skilled Trades Apprenticeship & Customized Training

Launched in 2005, the Academy for Manufacturing Careers is a Skilled Trades Related Technical Instruction (RTI)/ Apprenticeship customized training program designed by manufacturers to meet the needs of manufacturers across south-central Michigan. This program is sponsored by and delivered through the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA) in partnership with South Central Michigan Works! (SCMW!) and is certified as a Registered Apprenticeship Program by the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. While learning valuable advanced manufacturing job skills, trainees also earn college credits applicable to degrees from multiple area post-secondary educational institutions, including Jackson Community College and Baker College of Jackson.

The majority of our courses are held at the Jackson Area Career Center and Lenawee Tech Center. Both facilities offer state-of-the-art access to the latest manufacturing tools and equipment. From high speed Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) mills and lathes to robotic welders and plasma laser cutters, these facilities ideally fit the needs of our area's advanced manufacturers. We also run courses at various manufacturing firms around the tri-country region. Basically, if we have a need for training, we find a local business that has the equipment we need and we hold classes there!

The Academy also hosts a number of K-12 summer youth programs, including I Can Make It Camp, Machining U, and Engineering is Elementary. When combined with programs offered by area partners (including Shop Rat, Jackson County Great Start Collaborative, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Edge, The Learning Fair, and more), our region offers an in-depth array of interconnected hands-on learning programs from birth to adulthood focused on giving participants practical application knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and advanced manufacturing.

Please look around our online home, check out what we do and find out how you can get involved to support the work we do. Thanks!