KALAMAZOO, MI — The auto industry is moving to an electric vehicle future, and local schools say they’re ready to help Michigan prepare.
More than $4 million in new investment will allow students to learn how to work with semiconductors and electric vehicles.
A new partnership between Western Michigan University, Kellogg Community College and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) was announced Monday and aims to create a skilled workforce for the growing electric vehicle sector.
At a cost of nearly $700,000, a new curriculum will be created to teach students about batteries and semiconductors at WMU with support from General Motors.
Meanwhile, Kellogg Community College will use the remaining $3.5 million to revamp its advanced manufacturing assembly training to meet standards for Ford’s Blue Oval Battery Park project in Marshall.
WMU hopes the program will attract new college students as well as students already in the workforce.
“So the hope is that we will work on both sides and move that curriculum further afield, perhaps to the Illinois, Indiana and Ohio regions,” said Dr. Stephen Butt, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Ta.
Western says this is a perfect fit for existing research on new and rapid development of batteries.
The students, who have already worked on solar cars and competed in the Formula SAE challenge, say this will give them the foundation they need for a new era of motoring.
Eliza Eaton, a current engineering student, said even those working in the industry have to learn as they go, and the new curriculum will lower the learning curve for new employees.
“It’s definitely difficult to keep up with for several days because it’s evolving so quickly,” she says.
The Biden administration aims to bring semiconductor jobs back to the United States, and the partnership argues now is the time to fill those jobs.
They argue that even in automotive capitals like Michigan, the existing workforce is inadequate for now and it’s time to step up to meet the world’s changing needs.
WMU classes are expected to be available to students by early 2026.
