"Another Successful Conference"

 CONFERENCE SUMMARY
APRIL 30-MAY 2, 2008
FRANKENMUTH, MI

The conference opened Wednesday April 30 with a successful networking reception. The reception was a great opportunity for educators from the 28 community colleges to network with each other, with industry apprentice coordinators –union and management, Workforce Development and Michigan Works! representatives and officials from the Dept of Labor and Economic Growth.

On Thursday outgoing President, Russ Davis, from Delta College, officially opened the conference with a welcome and challenged the audience to seek out the entrepreneurial spirit of skilled trades with a short video production.

Opening keynote speaker, Mike Hansen, President of the MCCA (Michigan Community College Assoc.), captured everyone’s attention when he outlined the proposed Michigan New Jobs Training Program currently in the Legislative process and could be passed as early as July 08. He also discussed another exciting proposal that would allow community colleges to grant 4 year technical degrees.

Following the Key note address attendees had the options to continue discussion with Mike Hansen or attend a discussion with top UAW GM and Ford management officials concerning the challenges of today’s apprenticeship in the UAW.

Break-out sessions included:

• “Apprenticeship Readiness”, a trend in the construction industry to prepare women and minorities for the rigor of skilled trades through pre-apprentice training and screening processes that can help individuals succeed.

• “Pre- Apprenticeship in High Schools” an applied math program by Jack Martin that has been adopted by over 600 high schools in Illinois.

• “Going Green” a presentation by the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Sciences and Services that discussed the current environmental initiatives in Michigan.

During lunch we enjoyed a legislative update and candid discussion with our
Lt. Governor, John Cherry, who discussed, among other things, the 4 highest growth areas for jobs: Life sciences, IT, Mechatronics and Homeland Security.

Immediately following the Lt. Governors speech, Dr. Ron Harkness, of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth shared his current informative and entertaining video production of the best practices of Michigan’s community colleges.

Afternoon break out sessions included:

• an update and discussion of the PACT (Pathway to Construction Trades) agreement that will uniformly grant college credit for Journeyman status.

• A round table discussion of the challenges of Apprenticeship in community colleges

• A look at how Michigan Works supported and partnered with JAMA (Jackson Area Manufacturing Association)

• New-non-traditional apprenticeships at Lansing Community College in IT and at Oakland Community College in social services.

• An introduction of the Michigan apprenticeship steering committee inc. (MASCI)

After a wonderful evening of networking, friendship, dinner and entertainment we wrapped up the conference the following morning with two important presentations.

1.  Susan Blake from Veterans affairs discussed the GI bill and how it can be applied to apprenticeship, and

2.  Glenn Bivins, State director of Apprenticeship updated the audience on the State of Apprenticeship both nationally and at the state level. Included was a lively discussion regarding the proposed regulation changes for apprenticeship. The outcome of which was a consensus that the members of MEATA do not support the changes and are going to continue to advocate against them.