Western Michigan University, MEDC announce major new state-of-the-art EV and semiconductor technical learning program expansions

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A first-of-its-kind public-private investment partnership will offer new state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) and semiconductor education and career opportunities to students across Southwest Michigan, Greater Grand Rapids and beyond beginning in 2025.

The goal—announced by leaders with Western Michigan University, Kellogg Community College (KCC) and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), as well as representatives of Ford, General Motors (GM) and DENSO—is to develop a world-class skilled workforce pipeline in Southwest Michigan and Greater Grand Rapids to help fill jobs in the state’s surging EV and semiconductor industries. 

“For Michigan to lead the nation and win the war for talent, we must close the talent gap,” said Ava Attari, MEDC director of higher education partnerships, during a news conference at Western’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

“That’s why the MEDC is leading the largest state talent attraction and retention initiative in the United States,” Attari said. “Our bold strategy is designed to develop and deliver talent specific to Michigan’s new, tech-forward economy in areas where we have the most opportunity to grow advanced manufacturing — areas like electric vehicles, mobility and semiconductors.”

The MEDC and Western announced a combined nearly $700,000 strategic investment grant that will help WMU develop a robust talent pipeline for Michigan's advanced manufacturing sector, ultimately aiming to fill the talent gap focused on semiconductors and electric vehicles.

“With this new effort, Western is proud to further our most important endeavor—creating opportunities through education that transform and improve lives,” said Dr. Steve Butt, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

“This is a mission we all share, and we are deeply grateful for the state’s support and the expertise and commitment of our industry collaborators in advancing this work,” Butt said. “The developments unveiled also demonstrate how public and private collaboration can foster innovation and elevate our communities for the benefit of Michigan residents and our shared economic prosperity.”

The Western programs will be guided by direct input from industry collaborators and specifically designed for in-demand priority roles such as electrical engineer, semiconductor technician, and EV processing technician, ensuring WMU graduates meet current hiring needs through in-depth training in areas of battery technology and semiconductors.

“The development of these programs aligns with our industry’s growing need for engineers with expertise in these critical areas,” said Aaron Leiba, GM’s director of compute and connectivity hardware.

Western aerospace engineering student Eliza Eaton developed a passion for EV technology through her participation and leadership roles on the Sunseeker solar car team, which has driven her toward a career in the industry. She believes the new programs will give Broncos a leg up in the field.

“As the world begins to recognize the need for greener technologies, my goal as a student and future engineer is to advocate for the continued development and adoption of electric vehicle technology, particularly within the automotive industry,” she said. 

Eaton had the opportunity to intern with GM on the body manufacturing team earlier in her Western career, helping build and complete chassis on Silverado and Hummer electric vehicles. 

"I witnessed firsthand the advantages and challenges that come with implementing this new technology," she says. "I firmly believe that, by expanding on the existing EV-focused projects here at Western—such as the electric vehicle racing teams—and developing a curriculum dedicated to EV technology, we can help create a new generation of engineers who are not only equipped to tackle the challenges of today but also lead the way toward a sustainable, electric future."

In addition to Western's announcement, MEDC and Kellogg Community College unveiled plans for a combined $4 million-plus investment to retool and reimagine the KCC Advanced Manufacturing Assembly Training program to align with current and future industry manufacturing standards and meet the needs of employer partners, including Ford Motor Co.’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall and DENSO.

The MEDC grants to WMU and KCC are part of a combined total of nearly $30 million MEDC has invested with Michigan’s higher education institutions that are working with advanced manufacturing employers to design and deliver a curriculum that prepares students for in-demand mobility-related careers.

“Together with WMU, KCC and our employer partners, we are positioning Michigan as second to none for top talent and investment for businesses and career opportunities — so we can grow our state’s population and create communities where generations will thrive,” Attari said.

State investments

With bipartisan support from the Michigan Legislature, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has approved one of the nation’s most ambitious clean electricity targets. Private companies have pledged more than $11 billion to build clean energy factories and new battery technology projects in Michigan, which estimates show will produce nearly 22,000 jobs. 

A new report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to be a national leader in clean energy and EV manufacturing. The 2023 Clean Jobs America Report stated that clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022 and now employ 123,983 Michiganders. According to the World Resource Institute, Michigan could create 41,000 new jobs by 2040 as it advances electric vehicle manufacturing and builds out renewable energy, like solar and wind. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recently released its 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, which showed clean energy jobs grew by 4.2% in 2023, adding 142,000 new jobs — more than double the growth rate of the overall U.S. workforce. These jobs accounted for 56% of new energy sector jobs, demonstrating clean energy’s role in driving economic growth. This expansion underscores the urgent need for a trained workforce to support battery technology and EV development.

The MEDC’s Talent Solutions division consortium of EV/mobility and semiconductors partners includes more than 20 major employers and national industry groups, 17 higher education partners and workforce and PK-12 leaders across Michigan.

Beyond issuing more than $30 million in higher education grants since it launched last year, the MEDC’s Talent Solutions division has also:

• Connected and trained more than 2,600 people directly into good-paying, high-tech roles with leading Michigan employers.
• Created cohorts for skills building and networking that 1,100 students at universities are leveraging to connect to Michigan’s strategic industries and employers.
• Expanded the state’s STEAM Ahead internship program, incentivizing employers to create and expand internship opportunities; more than 900 students have benefited from these internship experiences this year.
• Awarded 240-plus scholarships for students and graduates to stay in state for internship and postgraduate employment as part of the nationally acclaimed Michigander Scholars program.

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