The Align Center for Workforce Development has signed a contract to outfit a satellite facility on US-12 in northern Lenawee County. This building will be used to bring the Lenawee, Jackson, and Hillsdale Counties together to fill relevant gaps in in-demand occupations.
The project began earlier this year, to create a facility for employee training that required extensive space and equipment for hands-on training. Furthermore, this location was a central point between Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties, increasing training opportunities throughout the region. Currently, The Align Center is working to outfit the building with furniture and ensure it has all the necessary Information Technology requirements and infrastructure.
The inaugural classes in the facilities are anticipated to be offered beginning in November. For the initial training, Lenawee Now’s Industry Cluster Coordinator, Jack Townsley has been working with the Flooring Covering Education Foundation to provide a 20-week basic course which includes training on carpet, hardwood, tile and resilient flooring installation. Other anticipated classes include plumbing and HVAC. “These types of trainings provide great opportunities for great jobs in high skill, high wage, and high demand careers,” says Townsley
Another upcoming offering at the satellite location will be in partnership with The Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan and will target leadership skills for the hospitality industry. The 12-week Hospitality Business Management Certificate program teaches key business skills including, Financial Management, Building and Leading a Team, Handling Conflict and Customer Service.
The Align Center staff continues to develop partnerships across the region to upskill the workforce and develop consistent and reliable talent pipelines for regional employers.