Unique training initiative offers students opportunity to earn while they learn

Individuals interested in pursuing an education in a technical field while earning a paycheck invited to apply for the MAT² program offered by the MEDC.

LANSING, Mich. – Individuals interested in pursuing an education in a technical field while earning a paycheck from a participating employer are invited to apply for the Michigan Advanced Technician Training (MAT²) program offered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“The MAT² initiative is focused on meeting employer needs and will equip students with experience and skills they need to succeed in today’s high-tech world,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney.

MAT2 provides students with an opportunity to earn an associate degree at a participating community college, while gaining real-world, hands-on training in the high-tech, in-demand fields of Mechatronics, Information Technology, and Technical Product Design. Participants of MAT2 have their tuition at the community college paid for by an employer, receive a weekly stipend while in school, earn an hourly wage while training on the job, and are guaranteed employment upon successful completion of the program.

The 2014 programs will be held at Henry Ford Community College, Macomb Community College, Mott Community College, and Oakland Community College.

The next application deadline is set for Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Applicants who apply before April 30 will have an opportunity to attend a MAT2 Company Fair at the end of May to help match them with a participating employer.

In order to apply for MAT2, students must first apply for admission and take the COMPASS or Accuplacer test at one of the participating community colleges. Applicants must then submit an online application at www.mitalent.org/mat2, and be sure to include a scanned copy of their placement test scores, along with a resume and any letters of recommendation. Applicants will be notified within one week of their application status and qualifications for the program.

Accepted MAT² students will earn an associate’s degree from a participating community college while they earn a paycheck and gain on the job experience with a participating company. Tuition is paid by the employer and in exchange, the student commits to remaining on the job for at least two years after successful completion of the program.

Kelsey Erne of Warren is a current MAT² student at Oakland Community College and Brose employee. She said the focus on science and math, the style of learning, and the team approach make MAT² a perfect fit for her.

“I cannot say enough good things about this program,” Erne said. “It has given me everything I need to succeed. I am getting paid experience while studying topics I am actually excited about, and looking forward to starting a career in a field that is new and exciting.”

To learn more about Kelsey Erne’s experience with MAT², visit here. For more information on the program, contact MAT2@michigan.org.

The MAT² participating employers include: 

• BorgWarner – Global product leader in powertrain solutions
• Brose – Delivers mechatronic systems and electric drives to automotive manufacturers and suppliers
• Cadillac Products Automotive Company – Designs, develops and manufactures creative and cost effective products including a wide variety of protective plastic, exterior and interior acoustical and energy management parts for the automotive industry 
• Detroit Diesel – Manufactures a complete line of heavy-duty diesel engines, axles and transmissions for the on-highway and vocational market
• Dürr – One of the world’s leading suppliers of paint and assembly systems to the automotive, aircraft, and tier supplier industry
• Eberspaecher – System partners of the automotive industry in the areas of automotive electronics and tools and services for electronic networking in vehicles 
• EMAG - Umbrella of companies that manufacture transmission, engine and chassis components covering the entire spectrum of machining processes in the metal working industry
• Frimo – Worldwide leading developers and providers of system solutions for the manufacture of high-quality plastics components
• FTE Automotive – Partner in the development and production of applications used in powertrain and braking systems for the automotive industry 
• Heller – Manufactures 4-axis and 5-axis machining centers, multi-tasking machining centers, flexible manufacturing systems and crankshaft and camshaft milling and turning machines for; aerospace, automotive, agriculture, arms, construction, general machining, medical, power generation and trucking industries 
• INERGY – Supplier of complete plastic fuel systems and emission reduction related fluids systems to car manufacturers
• Jenoptik – Leading manufacturer and system provider of industrial metrology products for high-precision, contact and non-contact production metrology
• Kern-Liebers – Worldwide supplier for systems vendors to the automotive, textile, and consumer goods industries
• KESSLER – Manufacturer of components for the machine tool industry
• KOSTAL – Develops and manufactures technologically advanced electronic, electro-mechanical and mechatronic products
• New Center Stamping – Produces predominately past model service parts for the automotive industry
• Pontiac Coil – Manufactures a wide expanse of coils, solenoids, electromagnetic, electromechanical, transformers, and plastic injection molding parts and components  
• Proper Group International – Innovator in the plastic molding industry, delivering rapid prototype development to sophisticated injection molds for the transportation industry
• Secure 24 – Provides quality IT hosting services for SAP and Oracle, as well as IT outsourcing solutions for corporations
• Van-Rob – A full-service automotive industry leader in the design and manufacture of large structural assemblies, chassis components, and interior crash management systems in both steel and aluminum 
• Volkswagen Group of America – A wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe
• ZF – International supplier of automotive driveline and chassis technology

For more information on the MAT² program, please visit http://www.mitalent.org/mat2/.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.