FIRST in Michigan Robotics is looking for companies willing to sponsor high school teams that participate in FIRST Robotics Competitions (FRC). FRC introduces high school students to exciting careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by building a 5 foot tall, 120 pound robot, with the help of  industry mentors, to participate in district and state competitions. 

In January, teams are given the new game challenge along with a kit of components which includes items like motors, sensors, and pneumatics. Teams have until the end of February to build their robots. Competitions take place in March and April throughout Michigan. 

The Governor helped put a grant in place to start a FIRST Robotics Competition team at every high school in Michigan.  While the grant covers the registration fees and a coach stipend, alone it is not enough to encourage a school to jump in. They also need a great corporate partner. 

There are two major areas of support a company can offer to an FRC team. The first is money. Teams need a match of $3,000 to qualify for the state grant.   The second is mentors.  No team can be successful without a few great mentors to help the students build the robot. Ideally a team should have two mechanical mentors, one electrical mentor and a programmer. 

The competition is fierce and fun and is succeeding in growing the next generation of engineers and technologists to work in your company. Please contact Gail Alpert at gail.alpert@gmail.com to partner with a high school FRC team today.  

Cheers,

Amy Cell

Senior Vice President, Talent Enhancement

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Before Summer Begins, Get Some Networking In!

MCEEA Annual Conference June 18-20 in Ann Arbor

Start the summer off right, with colleagues and contacts from education and business, at the annual Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance (MCEEA) Conference, June 18-20 at the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor.

But just like summer, the deadline for registration is looming. Visit www.mceea.org for information. Participants may attend one or both days, and enjoy workshops, keynote speakers, networking, and receptions. All events are geared toward career services and human resources and recruiting personnel.

Make an impact when you attend. Sponsorships are still available at all levels, and provide visibility for your organization to professionals from across the state. Sponsorship information is also available at www.mceea.org. Visit the web site today.

Also, don't forget: Colby Spenser Cesaro, Director of Research with the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), is joining our 2014 Annual Conference this June as our Day Two Keynote Presenter. The title of her session is: "Aging Workforce and the Knowledge Transfer". WIN and Colby need our help!! Please take the 10-15 minutes today: https://ssgresearch.com/WIN-MCEEA  

Please feel free to email Rob VanDorin (r.vandorin@cmich.edu) or call (989.774.3068) with any questions.

Getting by is no longer an option in today’s fast changing, technology driven, highly competitive marketplace.  The collective performance of your organization must enable you to gain and sustain a competitive edge. You do that by unlocking the potential of your people and empowering them to achieve cutting edge performance.  Mastering the process and skills of Empowerment Coaching equips you to pursue that goal through this 2-day interactive, skill-based training workshop.
                Program Length: 2-days (14 hours).
                Audience: First-line Leaders, Supervisors, High Potentials, Emerging Leaders

Logistics

2 days: 8:00 am-5:00 pm includes 6 week follow-up 1 hour coaching sessions
Cost: $600 per person
Discounts: Group Discount for 10 or more employees attending
Date/Location: June 25-26 Cook Center/GR
                      July 9-10 Lansing Campus
                      July 15-16 Livonia Campus

Benefits to Organizational Leaders:
Empower others to discover and implement their own solutions
Radically improve communication and leadership skills
Gain a leading edge in the ever-evolving business landscape
Enhance productivity and performance of those you lead
Learn how to help people take full responsibility for their choices
Improve leadership skills with younger generation
Increase engagement of workforce through an empowering approach to leadership

Is your company in need of skilled technicians? The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is currently deploying the Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program (MAT²), an innovative and industry-defined approach to education. Benchmarked on the German Dual Education System, MAT² is an educational model, developed in conjunction with global technology leaders, that will combine theory, practice, and work experience to train a globally competitive workforce by:

• Creating a nationally accredited program, in which students receive an associate's degree, along with other accreditations.
• Using industry-defined competencies and requirements to create highly-skilled, capable, and readily-employable graduates.
• Allow companies to "grow their own" employees and ensure their own professional competency standards are met by being directly involved in the education and training process.
• Establishing Michigan as an education innovator and global competitor.

MAT² is currently looking for industry partners to participate in a range of professions for the 2014-2015 programs, including Mechatronics, Technical Product Design, and Information Technology. A reservation form and additional information can be found on the MAT² Employer Page!  

Please contact Jacqui Mieksztyn, Manager, Talent Programs, MAT2@michigan.org with any questions.