North Central Michigan College forms partnership to enhance CNC training opportunities

North Central Michigan College has partnered with the Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) and with the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District (COPESD) in order to bring about enhanced training opportunities in CNC programming. The partnership will facilitate the continued expansion of North Central Michigan College’s Computer Numerical Control programming, including the construction of the college’s Martin Jahn Technology Center, which is scheduled to be up and running by Fall 2026.

According to an article on North Central Michigan College’s website, Stephen Strom, the college’s Vice President of Affairs, was quoted as saying of the benefits of the partnership, “We’re excited to partner with IAI and COPESD to offer new training opportunities for local employees and students. This partnership allows us to provide hands-on, industry-relevant education in Computer-Aided Design, Computer-Aided Manufacturing, and CNC programming, all vital skills in today’s manufacturing world.”

The partnership allowed the college to move its CNC equipment off campus and into the IAI in Onaway on January 8 to ensure that the school could continue its CNC training even during the demolition of the current Technology Building and the construction of the Martin Jahn Technology Center, which will house CNC training and other technology and skilled trades education.

With the CNC equipment that is usually housed at North Central Michigan College now on IAI grounds, ongoing efforts to introduce middle schoolers to CNC and skilled trades through workshops and camps at IAI have been expanded to include even more offerings this year. The expansions and additions include developing a year-round schedule, integrating CNC training into welding and construction academies, specialized training for high school students, and more hands-on learning opportunities for middle schoolers.

Jamie Huber, the COPESD Superintendent, said of these enhancements, “This is a great example of how strong community partnerships can create real opportunities for students and businesses. Together, we are preparing more local students for careers in the skilled trades, which is more important than ever.”

For more information about North Central Michigan College, visit the school’s website.