MI-WPC Director’s Update: From the Desk of Dr. Deb Volzer

As we move into the second half of the year, I’m excited to share a few important updates from across the MI-WPC (Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge) team. Our work continues to accelerate as we expand partnerships, implement pilot programs, and deepen our impact with colleges and manufacturers nationwide.

Gulf Coast Maritime Skills Development System

Our team is advancing an ambitious new Maritime Skills Development System aimed at significantly strengthening the Gulf Coast region’s talent pipeline. This transformative initiative will pave the way for new colleges to join the MI-WPC and build on the consortium’s proven successes. This system creates a unified, high-impact training and credentialing pathway tailored to the nation’s demand for maritime and shipbuilding talent.

Launching first in Mobile, the system offers focused dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, stackable credentials for adult learners, and hands-on, industry-relevant curriculum. By tightly aligning workforce demands with classroom instruction and early career exposure, the Gulf Coast (Maritime) Skills Development System is poised to become a national benchmark for regional workforce development excellence.

Dual Enrollment & Credentialing Pathways

Several of our MI-WPC colleges are implementing or planning dual enrollment models aligned to Tooling U-SME credentials. These programs not only offer high school students a direct path to an industry-recognized credential like the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA), but also strengthen collaboration between K-12, community colleges, and local employers.

This summer, MI-WPC is supporting an exciting CMfgA pilot in partnership with the AdvanceNC regional consortium in North Carolina. Three colleges—Durham Tech, Wake Tech, and Central Carolina Community College—are collaborating to deliver the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) credential using Tooling U-SME’s curriculum. The pilot is designed to test multiple instructional models, including the use of both Tooling U’s LMS and college-based platforms, and will help identify best practices for instructor training, student engagement, and credential attainment. Insights from this pilot will inform future statewide expansion efforts and provide a replicable framework for other regions.

Similarly, a pilot program delivered through the Tooling U-SME platform is currently underway at Daley College, with sponsorship from the Northern Illinois Workforce Coalition (NIWC). Daley College is leading the initiative, managing student enrollment, instruction, and overall program execution. The pilot includes a targeted set of courses designed to ignite career interest and awareness in the manufacturing sector. This collaborative, consortium-based approach enables partner community colleges to be featured in promotional materials, helping amplify outreach and engagement. While Daley College is administering the pilot, students who enroll and complete the coursework will be referred to their local community colleges for continued education and support. Success in this pilot will lay the groundwork for expanding access to the full suite of Tooling U-SME courses and certifications—creating a more responsive and aligned workforce development system that meets the evolving needs of both learners and employers across the region.

Liaison Work

The Champions Advisory Council remains a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and peer-to-peer learning. Recent “idea labs” have zeroed in on high-impact topics such as Manufacturing Day strategies, faculty engagement models, and best practices for K-12 outreach. What's especially promising is the growing synergy between our Champions and engaged industry advisors who are eager to co-design career awareness efforts and close persistent talent gaps across key sectors.

To further accelerate impact, our MI-WPC college liaisons continue to serve as strategic partners to the 25 Imperative colleges. Through a thoughtful blend of virtual consulting and on-site engagements, they deliver tailored support that reflects each institution’s unique priorities, whether it’s refining workforce program strategy, launching or expanding dual enrollment pipelines, aligning curricula with Tooling U-SME credentials, advancing sector-based strategies, or strengthening employer engagement.

By maintaining a consistent presence both digitally and on the ground, our liaisons help colleges move decisively from planning to execution. Their guidance ensures institutions remain tightly aligned with the core objectives of the MI-WPC initiative while building sustainable, locally responsive solutions that deliver real value to students, educators, and employers alike.

Looking Ahead

Our momentum is strong, and the collaborative energy from all corners of the network continues to inspire. Whether it is launching new career pathways, improving faculty retention, or creating scalable playbooks for national replication, the MI-WPC team remains focused on building a robust, inclusive pipeline into manufacturing.

Thank you to our MI-WPC colleges for the critical work they are doing in their respective regions. We are proud to stand alongside them.

Warmest regards,

Deb Volzer, Ph.D.
Vice President of Workforce Development, SME