Electro-Optics Technology will be the first company in the area to benefit from the Michigan New Jobs Training Program thanks to an agreement with
Northwestern Michigan College.
The company will have 13 new employees trained at the college thanks to the program, which was created by the state in 2008. The program created a regional economic development tool which allows community colleges to offer training that, in turn, enables companies to expand. In this case, training costs will be paid by Electro-Optics through a diversion of the payroll taxes generated by the new jobs.
The NMC/Electro-Optics agreement is the first New Jobs Training Program pact in northern Michigan. According to the terms, Electro-Optics, a supplier of components and diagnostic equipment for manufacturers and users of high power laser systems, expects to increase its staff from 36 to 49 employees by March 1, 2013.
NMC will train those 13 new full-time employees, who must earn a minimum of $12.95 per hour. Electro-Optics estimates salaries will range from $27,040 to $68,000.
"We're excited to be able to grow our business by partnering with NMC to expand and educate our staff," says Ben Nelson, President of Electro-Optics.
Training will be provided through NMC's Training & Research division and will range from advanced manufacturing classes such as mill and lathe programming to lasers, optics and photonics courses to business and computer classes. Training budget is $70,000 plus a 15 percent administrative fee.
NMC has explored partnerships with a dozen local companies since 2009, and hopes to announce more agreements under the New Jobs Training Act in the future. According to the Michigan Community College Association, nine NJTA agreements are currently in place statewide, creating more than 3,400 new jobs.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Ben Nelson, Electro-Optics
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