LIFT, the Department of War-supported national advanced materials and manufacturing innovation institute, officially launched a new cohort of Operation Next® students at its Corktown headquarters in partnership with Detroit at Work. The program aims to strengthen the local southeast Michigan industrial and broader defense industrial base by certifying Detroit’s next generation of advanced manufacturing talent.
Through the partnership with DESC, more than 80 Detroit residents have the opportunity to obtain in-demand and valuable certifications in CNC Operations, Welding, and Robotics through LIFT’s Operation Next. Detroit at Work (DAW), powered by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, a Michigan Works! Agency, provides career coaching through access to its job portals, supportive services and free training program partnerships. Job placement resources will also be available.
Operation Next, a competency-based, self-paced program featuring a hybrid advanced manufacturing-focused curriculum, allows students to learn theory online through simulations and multimedia and then demonstrate their new skills on real-world manufacturing equipment. Upon completing the curriculum program, students can earn certifications from The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) for CNC Operations, The American Welding Society (AWS) for Welding, and Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) for Robotics.