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About AMC

Launched in 2005, the Academy for Manufacturing Careers (AMC) is a Skilled Trades Related Technical Instruction (RTI)/Apprenticeship customized training program designed by manufacturers to meet the needs of manufacturers across south-central Michigan. The AMC is closely affiliated with the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and delivered in partnership with Michigan Works! Southeast.

The AMC is a nationally recognized skilled trades related technical instruction Apprenticeship Program. The AMC is certified as a Registered Apprenticeship Program by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship (USDOL-OA) and is approved as a Michigan Licensed Proprietary School by the State of Michigan.

The majority of our courses are held at the Jackson Area Career Center, Krohn Center in Litchfield, and the Lenawee Tech Center. The facilities offer state-of-the-art access to the latest manufacturing tools and equipment. From high speed Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) mills and lathes to robotic welders and plasma laser cutters, these facilities ideally fit the needs of our area’s advanced manufacturers. We also run courses at various manufacturing firms around the tri-county region. Basically, if we have a need for training, we find a local business that has the equipment we need and we hold classes there!

The program is designed by manufacturers to meet the needs of manufacturers. AMC provides relevant training in the fields of Tool & Die Maker, CNC Machinist, Machine Builder, Machine Repairer, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Quality Welder, Mold Maker, Engineering Technician and Robotic Welding Technician. AMC also offers short-term certificate programs designed specifically for dislocated workers or unskilled individuals in the areas of CNC Machining, Machine Maintenance, Welding, Tool & Die, and Quality.

AMC training raises the level of proficiency to the currently employed, retools the skills of the unemployed, and promotes current skill sets to all enrolled. Instructors provide up-to-date curriculum pertinent to existing manufacturing. AMC administration supports all individuals in their career paths, assuring that all students succeed. The AMC prepares each student by providing them with the necessary tools to make them an accomplished member in the field of manufacturing.

The AMC also hosts a number of K-12 summer youth programs, including I Can Make It Camp, Machining U, and MI Enterprise. When combined with programs offered by area partners (including Shop Rat, Jackson County Great Start Collaborative, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Edge, The Learning Fair, and more), our region offers an in-depth array of interconnected hands-on learning programs from birth to adulthood focused on giving participants practical application knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and advanced manufacturing.

The Academy for Manufacturing Careers does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin.

AMC Milestones

AMC was first discussed at meetings in November 2003 after our local community college did not get a millage increase approval from the voters and soon thereafter dropped manufacturing-related skilled trades courses.
AMC was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship as a registered apprenticeship program in April 2005.
AMC was recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Labor as a 21st Century Registered Apprenticeship Trailblazer and Innovator in 2012. Only 70 of the more than 2,000 apprenticeship programs nationwide received this honor.
AMC was honored by the Great Lakes Manufacturing Council in 2014 as one of 30 Talented Workforce Initiative programs within the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces served by the Council.
AMC was developed by over 70 area manufacturing companies in partnership with South Central Michigan Works! and in collaboration with area secondary and post-secondary educational institutions (including the local community college) and other community resources.
AMC was designated by the State of Michigan as a Regional Skills Alliance in 2005.
AMC was spotlighted by the White House in 2014 as a “promising approach” to helping the long-term unemployed re-enter the job market.
In 2015, JAMA partnered with Focus: HOPE in Detroit on and received a $3 million U.S. Dept. of Labor American Apprenticeship Initiative grant designed to expand registered apprenticeship. This five-year grant was completed and all of JAMA’s deliverables were met (and exceeded) prior to the Sept. 30, 2020 grant closing date.
AMC officially opened it doors with a handful of registered apprentices and offered its first class (Welding I) in April 2005.
AMC was approved by the State of Michigan as a Proprietary School licensed by the State in December 2008.

Also in 2014, JAMA partnered with the Jackson County ISD/Jackson Area Career Center, Jackson College, Baker College of Jackson and The Enterprise Group of Jackson to launch the Jackson Area College & Career Connection (JAC3). The program combines an early/middle college with school-to-registered apprenticeship, giving participating students a chance to earn both a college degree and U.S. DOL apprenticeship certificate along with their high school diploma.

In 2021, JAMA was awarded a $780,000 two-year grant to expand youth registered apprenticeship across Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston and Washtenaw counties in south-central Michigan.