Washtenaw Community College is helping Dexter-based Protomatic, Inc. raise the skills bar of its workforce and develop new talent that will help ensure its success today and into the future.
Protomatic, a prototype machining shop that produces unique parts in relatively small quantities, has been allotted up to $25,000 through the InnoState program to train its employees using WCC expertise. InnoState is a cluster of regional organizations that support the development and accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing in Southeast Michigan.
“They (Protomatic) recognize the talent shortage in manufacturing and have brought on a number of employees with little to no manufacturing experience to train and develop for their own workforce,” said Brandon Tucker, executive director of Economic & Community Development for WCC. “Since these employees are new to manufacturing, they need a thorough introduction to fundamental manufacturing skills.”
According to Tucker, the training started March 31 on site and on campus in three technical areas: GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing), and Surfcam basic and advanced milling. He points out that these are the kind of skills employees new to manufacturing need in order to fabricate innovative products.
Surfcam is a3D computer-aided manufacturing system; GD&T is a system for defining and communicating engineering tolerances in parts manufacturing.
Tucker says that the program will help prepare Protomatic employees for their new roles as senior operators and machinists.
InnoState partners include: the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), and the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS). The Washtenaw County Michigan Works office also is partnering with Protomatic and WCC in the training effort.