LIFT Announces Free Training for Transitioning Service Members

DETROIT – LIFT and Big Bend Technical College announced a partnership to provide free training to transitioning military, National Guard, military reserves and their families, as well as veterans and other civilians, for careers in manufacturing cutting-edge technology through LIFT’s Operation Next initiative.

Operation Next offers an accelerated hybrid program that combines online education with hands-on training to earn degrees for in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. BBTC’s soft start program will train students in computer numerical control (CNC) and welding. Each year, 200,000 service members leave the military across the country, and it is estimated that nearly 2 million high-tech industry workers will be needed to fill vacancies in the United States by 2028.

Big Bend Technical College (BBTC) will offer an aluminum welding and fabrication program. “Our motto is to educate, empower and employ students in our local community, and we are excited to partner with LIFT to bring such a successful national program like Operation Next to our region,” said Jodi Tillman . , director of BBTC

“As a local aluminum manufacturing company for 35 years and a long-term partner of BBTC, the news of this new program is beyond exciting. CNC operations, welding and aluminum fabrication are skills we use every day to create safe, high-quality products,” said Jennifer Arnold, president of Perry-based American Aluminum Accessories, Inc. , in Florida. “This training will help secure the future of our business as well as that of other businesses locally and across the state.” American Aluminum’s motto is “Protect Those Who Protect Us,” which stems from the aluminum products we provide to the law enforcement community across the country. This new program will help us tremendously by providing team members ready to work.

“Advanced manufacturing is essential to the region’s economy and the economy of our great state, and we must ensure that the products we need are made here in the United States,” said Senator D ‘State Corey Simon. “Through Operation Next, which provides more people with the opportunity to start working in advanced manufacturing, we can strengthen our state and national economies, as well as our national defense. »

“Partnerships like these are essential for Operation Next to have the impact it is designed to have and provide opportunities for our service members and their families,” said Robert Shaner, vice president, Talent, LIFT. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Big Bend Technical College to help these servicemembers and others in the region start their careers in the advanced manufacturing sector.”

IFT, managed by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is a Detroit-based public-private partnership between the Department of Defense, industry and academia engaged in the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies and in implementing talent development initiatives to better prepare the workforce today and tomorrow. LIFT funded in part by the Department of Defense and managed by the Office of Naval Research. Visit https://lift.technology/or follow on LinkedIn at ELEVATOR or on Twitter @NewsFromLIFT to learn more.