“An initiative called PRIME, which stands for Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education, and that’s a national initiative for building out high tech, manufacturing-related, hands-on training programs within the high schools.”
Bill Rayl is executive director of Workforce Solutions at the Michigan Manufacturers Association. He says there are currently 33 PRIME schools across the state, with another 17 planned by 2025. Programs teach skills like 3D printing, robotics and other manufacturing and engineering trades. He says the PRIME Network provides local manufacturers the chance to shape students’ skillsets and train a pipeline of talent in their own community.
“So that the kids are coming out of those programs, whether they’re going into college-level programs or straight into registered apprenticeship programs or additional training or right into the workplace, it creates more of a seamless pathway.”
Rayl says more PRIME schools will be coming to West Michigan soon.
“Innovation Central High School being the big one in Grand Rapids, but there’s also West Ottawa High School over in Holland and Grand Haven High School and then Whitehall High School.”
You can learn more about the PRIME Network at mimfg.org