Grand Rapids Community College and the West Michigan Construction Institute to build a new facility for construction trades
A new trade education center is being built to educate and train students interested in the field of construction. The West Michigan Construction Institute is expected to be completed by December 2021 and welcome its first students in January 2022.
Looking to fill a labor shortage, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) and the West Michigan Construction Institute (WMCI) are teaming up to build a trade education center to prepare prospective students for careers in construction. A recent news release from GRCC states that the construction industry in West Michigan is expected to grow by almost 16 percent over the next decade, while almost half of the current workforce is expected to retire over the next 15 years. Programs available at the new facility, set to open in January 2022, will include certifications in carpentry, plumbing, and other specializations. GRCC will be moving its entire Electrical Program to the building as well.
The West Michigan Construction Institute will be located at 801 Century Ave. SW in Grand Rapids, and construction is already underway. According to the news release from GRCC, the WMCI training center will serve many purposes, including acting as a hub for talent recruitment for the commercial construction industry in West Michigan. It will have daytime programming geared toward high school students as well as community based training programs. President of WMCI, Jen Schottke, said, "The workforce pipeline is drying up, and the need for more trade education programs is growing; but existing programs are not. WMCI offers the education needed to advance in a trades career where services are in demand, with the job security that comes with it."
GRCC President Bill Pink also offered comment in the news release, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in growing the pool of qualified construction workers. "Partnerships build stronger communities," Pink said, adding, "Our college has been partnering to prepare individuals for careers in the construction trades for decades, and The West Michigan Construction Institute is a perfect example of employers and educators collaborating to create opportunities for residents to be successful. Together, we will create a talented workforce ready for rewarding careers and help our West Michigan economy thrive."
Those interested in developing their credentials in construction trades will have a variety of courses and certifications to choose from, ranging from one-week training programs to multi-year apprenticeships and programs in specific trades within the field.