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Find talent

Middle Michigan has some of the best talent in the world! We have a high-tech workforce with more engineers, skilled tradespeople and research and development professionals than anywhere else in the nation. Additionally, we attract talent through the Discover Great Lakes Bay initiative we participate in with other area economic development organizations from Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.  

Discover Great Lakes Bay Coming Home Initiative 

Local Colleges and Universities

Central Michigan University (CMU). Mt. Pleasant, MI

CMU is a nationally-ranked institution that, along with only five percent of US universities, ranks in the highest two Carnegie classifications. CMU serves over 26,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students annually and supports seven colleges and 300 programs of study. CMU's College of Medicine focuses on improving access to quality health care in Michigan, with an emphasis on rural and underserved community care.

CMU's College of Science and Engineering offers 59 undergraduate and 12 graduate programs. The Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) is a separate 501(c)(3) organization that was created grow technology-based jobs by promoting collaborations between university, industry, government and community partners.

Learn more at cmich.edu

Mid Michigan College (Mid). Mt. Pleasant and Harrison, MI

Mid Michigan College is a high-quality community college, preparing thousands of students each year to enter the workforce or transfer to a university program. The College offers over 80 programs and pathways, including short term and certificate programs in high-demand, high-skill areas like CAD, welding, automotive technology, HVAC, and advanced integrated manufacturing.

Learn more at midmich.edu

Nearby Universities (less than 1 hour drive)

Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University serves over 11,000 undergraduate students and nearly 1,200 graduate students annually. The University features seven degree-granting colleges, including a College of Engineering Technology and its top-tier College of Pharmacy.

The University was founded as an industrial school, and it maintains a deep commitment to technical and hands-on training. FSU offers degrees and credentials ranging from certificates and associate degrees to doctorate and professional credentials. Ferris is within one hour driving distance from Mount Pleasant.

Learn more at ferris.edu

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) offers over 100 academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students. It features five colleges, including a College of Science, Engineering & Technology. Annually, the University serves about 8,500 students.

SVSU's College of Science, Engineering & Technology consists of seven academic departments offering students a variety of undergraduate programs in biology, chemistry, physics, mechanical and electrical engineering, mathematics, and computer science, as well as a graduate program in energy & materials. SVSU is within one hour driving distance from Mount Pleasant.



Clare and Isabella Counties Talent Pipeline Resources

In addition to CMU and Mid Michigan College, Clare and Isabella counties feature a variety of talent pipeline resources. These include: Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center (GI-TEC) and the Clare-Gladwin Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center: These programs offer high quality skill training for students across our two counties. The programs demonstrate strong performance, with active participation from students from each regional education service district’s high schools represented. Programs include: accounting, agricultural sciences, automotive technology, business management, construction trades, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, digital media, education careers, electronics, health occupations, interior design, machine trades, marketing, mechanical drafting, printing/graphics, small engines, TV/radio and welding technology. 

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (SCTC) is a public community college founded in 1998 and accredited in 2007. As a tribally controlled two-year college, SCTC offers four Associate of Arts degrees designed for transferring to four-year universities. The College’s primary geographic service area is the Isabella Reservation and greater Mount Pleasant area, which is the principal reservation of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. A secondary service area is the Saganing Reservation, which is a subsidiary, smaller reservation of the Tribe.

Flex Tech High School: Emphasizing project-based learning, one of Flex Tech’s primary initiatives is to ensure students learn not only the required fundamentals, but develop solution-based skills necessary to succeed along the career path each student chooses. Flex Tech partners with local businesses to highlight a variety of career options to its students in order to ensure students find careers that are the right fit, including helping connect them to local manufacturing opportunities within the region. 

Morey Technical Education Center: Located on Mid Michigan college’s campus in Mt. Pleasant, the center was designed to respond to the demand identified repeatedly by area manufacturers for trained employees. The design of the tech center was carefully engineered with flexible spaces that will serve present and future training needs in basic and advanced manufacturing principles and technologies. While there are dedicated areas for welding and computer-aided drafting, other areas are open and meant to respond to short-term training needs. 

Central Michigan Manufacturers Association (CMMA): The CMMA has received a $140,000 grant from the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to support companies as they transition to “Industry 4.0.” Training programs will be established to support the effort by the Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District or Mid Michigan College. The CMMA also has established special interest groups for education and human resources allowing their membership to share best practices. 

If you are looking for talent or looking for a new career, try searching Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s extensive database at mitalent.org or contact us directly and we will help you find what you need. MMDC is focused on providing the services that will help you and your business thrive!

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