In an effort to fill thousands of job openings in Michigan's skilled trades industry, officials cut the ribbon Monday of the Michigan Statewide Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center, a new 67,000-square-foot school in Wayland.
The new school is free and open to the public, meaning, anyone with a high school diploma or GED can apply. During their training, students are paid, receive health care and pension benefits.
With a shortage of carpenters and Millwrights in the state, and more officials embracing the idea that college isn’t necessarily for everyone, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the new training center will impact generations of Michigan residents who train there.
“Together, we make this the state that shows the world, Michigan still is the place where you can get ahead if you are a hard working person and a skill, you have a great future in this state.”
According to the Governor’s office, “highly trained skilled trades professionals are in high demand in Michigan, and experts anticipate the current shortage of such workers to continue well into the next decade. Skilled trades professionals such as carpenters and millwrights account for more than 500,000 jobs in Michigan.
Every year, businesses need 15,000 workers to fill job openings in the skilled trades. Careers in skilled trades typically do not require a four-year-college degree and pay well above Michigan’s median income.”
Daniel Boothe, WGVU NEWS