JAMA 73rd Annual Dinner Report by Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
January 19, 2010
Contrary to popular belief, the automotive industry has not been in a recession...
New Michigan Emerging Markets Skill Alliance for Tool and Die to Train 400 WorkersNovember 24, 2009—Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the creation of the Michigan Emerging Markets Skill Alliance (MEMSA) for Tool...
New Report Highlights MI’s Need for Middle-Skill JobsThe Workforce Alliance’s new Michigan Skills2Compete Report reveals that middle-skill jobs (which require more than a high school education but...
Jackson area manufacturers convene to showcase their businesses, share ideasby Caitlin Schneider | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday August 12, 2009, 2:43 PM
Local manufacturers convened at Kopplin Controls, 881...
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JAMA News & Events
JAMA 73rd Annual Dinner Report
by Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
January 19, 2010
Contrary to popular belief, the automotive industry has not been in a recession these past few years.
“This is an absolute depression,” said David Cole, chairman of the University of Michigan’s Center for Automotive Research. He said the level of sales last year was about 4 million units below what would be considered a recession, but he sees brighter...Read more »
New Michigan Emerging Markets Skill Alliance for Tool and Die to Train 400 Workers
Flint Program is First Satellite of JAMA's Academy for Manufaturing Careers
November 24, 2009—Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the creation of the Michigan Emerging Markets Skill Alliance (MEMSA) for Tool and Die, a partnership of employers and educational institutions that together will provide training to help workers upgrade their skills and adapt to new technology and industry requirements for new jobs in the state’s transitioning economy.
“A highly-skilled workforce is a critical...Read more »
New Report Highlights MI’s Need for Middle-Skill Jobs
The Workforce Alliance’s new Michigan Skills2Compete Report reveals that middle-skill jobs (which require more than a high school education but less than a four-year degree) make up over half of the jobs in Michigan’s labor market today and for the foreseeable future. Without greater investments in education and skills training, future growth in the supply of educated workers will likely fall short of the growth in labor market demand....Read more »
Jackson area manufacturers convene to showcase their businesses, share ideas
by Caitlin Schneider | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday August 12, 2009, 2:43 PM
Local manufacturers convened at Kopplin Controls, 881 Rosehill Road, Wednesday to showcase their businesses and gather information on what services their peers have to offer.
Eleven companies set up tables with models and written information. Kopplin President Greg Hanna said the event had a basic premise: “Getting manufacturers to talk...Read more »
JAMA Academy first in state to register apprentices under new Michigan pilot program
The Academy for Manufacturing Careers, in partnership with South Central Michigan Works!, is the first organization in the state to register an apprentice with The U.S. Department of Labor under the newly announced Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Program (MRAP), which took affect August 1, 2009.
In late June, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth announced creation of the MRAP. The program, which...Read more »
Problem becomes profit for Clarklake Machine
by Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot | August 02, 2009
A local precision parts manufacturer knows that when your machines aren’t running, customers don’t get their products on time, and you’re not making money.
So when three computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines broke down at the same time several months ago at Clarklake Machine, workers there had had enough.
The problem was with the carousel...Read more »
Albion’s Caster Concepts secures contract to produce casters and wheels for Ford
By Caitlin Schneider, Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday July 23, 2009, 2:22 PM
Some Ford employees will soon experience a little more peace and quiet on the job thanks to products made in Albion.
Caster Concepts was selected by Ford to produce casters and wheels for delivery carts at an assembly plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico.
The contract is worth just under $250,000.
The CasterShoX line boasts a quieter...Read more »
Michigan Devotes $1 Million to Sponsor 1,000 New Apprentices
June 22, 2009, LANSING—Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth Deputy Director Andy Levin today announced that Michigan will devote $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to create the Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Pilot (MRAP) program. MRAP funds will provide incentives to employers who partner with their local Michigan Works! agencies to sponsor 1,000 new apprentices in U.S. Department...Read more »
Jackson-area auto suppliers make contacts in medical manufacturing sector
May 16, 2009
By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
A number of local automotive suppliers made connections in the growing medical manufacturing sector at a breakfast meeting Thursday. The Jackson Area Manufacturers Association ran the event, which was sponsored by Allegiance Health and The Enterprise Group, and held at the Country Club of Jackson.
“The companies left there with opportunities,” JAMA’s...Read more »
Passing along manufacturing skills focus of two camps in Jackson
Monday April 20, 2009
By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Two weeklong camps this summer aim to instill the importance of science, engineering and manufacturing in local students.
At the third annual Machining U day camp, students will learn about and work on projects and tour local manufacturing facilities.
“These skills aren’t being duplicated. We need to carry it out,” said Susan Soltis,...Read more »
Rayl pleads auto suppliers’ case in D.C.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926
While members of President Obama’s automotive task force spent Monday in Detroit assessing how much federal assistance General Motors and Chrysler will get, Bill Rayl spent parts of the past two weeks in Washington, D.C., seeking help for local suppliers.
Rayl, executive director of the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association, was there...Read more »
Official: Jackson may feel effects of ‘dramatic’ Chrysler, GM cuts
by Danielle Quisenberry | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday February 18, 2009, 8:32 AM
Bill Rayl, executive director of the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association, called Chrysler and GM’s cuts “dramatic” but said any downsizing is better than bankruptcy.
“If they go under, we have a lot of additional problems,” Rayl said. “Having a leaner GM is better than a dead GM.”
As...Read more »