EMAG Supports Training Programs in Michigan

EMAG LLC has announced its full participation in the Michigan New Jobs Training Program initiative led by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow. Additionally, it is participating in the Michigan Advanced Technician Training (MAT2) program with two local community colleges.

Senator Stabenow is introducing legislation in Congress, called the New Skills for New Jobs Act, which would involve federal matching funds to support Michigan and other states that have already begun helping community colleges with local businesses to create more job training and retraining opportunities. Senator Stabenow recently detailed the program at Oakland Community College's Advanced Technology Center on the Auburn Hills campus.

Speaking at Oakland Community College on September 3, Senator Stabenow said her new bill would provide a federal match equal to state training reimbursements so that the repayment to the colleges would occur more quickly, plus there would be an increase in the number of eligible companies and workers participating.

Many Michigan businesses, especially those in the high-tech and automotive markets, constantly seek trained workers and have increasingly found it difficult to secure qualified people. The New Jobs Training Program would enhance the skill level of the workforce, making the state a more attractive base of operations for more companies in both market segments.

"This program is a partnership between businesses and the community colleges reaching out to workers," said Senator Stabenow. "And, it is a way for the federal government to recognize that new job skills training - to match the jobs now available - is a top priority for moving the economy forward."

"Many in the current work force need enhanced skills to perform the new tasks required by today's technology," said EMAG CEO Peter Loetzner. "This is especially true in our world of machine tools and related manufacturing."

The New Jobs Training Program in Michigan was begun in 2008 and last year trained nearly 10,000 workers in partnership with 44 companies, generating $76 million in additional wages for the Michigan labor force.

MAT2 Program

EMAG is currently participating in the (MAT2) program with Oakland County Community College in Southfield, MI, and Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, MI. This program offers high-school graduates a career in machine Mechatronics, the discipline that incorporates electrical, electronic and mechanical study, providing all graduates an advanced associate's degree through a multi-year program completely funded by employers such as EMAG, who offers the graduates career opportunities as well. The program began for EMAG in the Fall 2013 school semester.

During three years of schooling, students have their tuition, all fees and a laptop provided to them by EMAG. They take a combined classroom/work curriculum, with paid employment at EMAG during the last two years of their schooling.

Mechatronics technicians support the critical machining world in industry, as they work with engineers, modify machines, maintain all components, troubleshoot and provide service on all related equipment for advanced manufacturing companies.

"This program is very special for me, as I studied the then-new area of Mechatronics in school myself," said EMAG CEO Peter Loetzner. "I have always believed it is necessary that we help educate and train the next generation of engineering, operator and maintenance personnel. We at EMAG are very proud to participate in this important program for Michigan, and our home area of Detroit in particular."

MAT2 is officially sponsored by Orbitak International and a number of Detroit-area manufacturers and machinery companies, including EMAG.

For more information contact:

EMAG LLC

38800 Grand River Avenue

Farmington Hills, MI 48335

248-477-7440

info@usa.emag.com

www.emag.com