North Central Michigan College partners with Greater Michigan Construction Academy
The partnership will expand skilled trade training and will strengthen the talent pipeline in the region’s workforce.
North Central Michigan College and the Greater Michigan Construction Academy have formed a partnership that will expand the training opportunities at the college for skilled trades and will enhance the talent pipeline for the region’s skilled trades workforce. The partnership will see North Central Michigan College faculty members providing students with instruction on Greater Michigan Construction Academy’s curriculum in high-demand skilled trades, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities.
According to an article on North Central Michigan College’s website, Cassandra Hernandez, NCMC’s dean of Workforce and Continuing Education, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “This partnership represents an important step forward for workforce development in Northern Michigan. By integrating GMCA’s proven, NCCER-aligned curriculum into North Central’s skilled trades programming, we are expanding access to industry-recognized training that leads directly to employment and long-term career growth.”
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is a national credentialing organization. The NCCER has a registry of individuals who have completed certifications, providing students with the ability to easily transfer their credentials among employers and organizations that participate in the NCCER registry.
The partnership will allow North Central Michigan College faculty to provide students with instruction on plumbing, electrical, welding, HVAC, and carpentry, using the GMCA’s curriculum.
GMCA’s Vice President Bridget Sadenwater said, “Skilled trades are the backbone of Northern Michigan’s economy and communities. From housing and infrastructure to local businesses and essential services, a strong, well-trained workforce is critical to the region’s long-term vitality. Investing in skilled trades training means investing directly in the future of Northern Michigan.”
The first cohorts utilizing this partnership are HVAC and welding, which will begin in July 2026. Instruction will take place at the college’s new Martin Jahn Technology Center. The Martin Jahn Technology Center is a central component of the college’s Career and Technical Education Enhancement project that seeks to expand its healthcare, technical, and skilled trades programming in order to meet current regional workforce demands.
For more information about North Central Michigan College, visit the school’s website.