This video and research brief highlight findings from a recent SPR evaluation on how eight Michigan community colleges participating in the Michigan Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (M-CAM), a Round 3 Trade Adjustment Act Community College Career Training (TAACCCT) grantee, helped their students navigate enrollment, decide on an appropriate career pathway, explore work-based learning opportunities, and find appropriate job opportunities. The colleges enrolled nearly 4,000 students, many of whom were attending college for the first time. The evaluation found that career coaches played a key role Continue reading →

This video and research brief highlight how eight Michigan community colleges participating in the Michigan Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (M-CAM), a round 3 TAACCCT grantee, successfully engaged older adults in advanced manufacturing training and helped them transition to new jobs and careers in that sector. The colleges enrolled over 1200 older students, most of whom were attending college for the first time. Key findings: Older students were more likely to complete their programs and earn a credential than were younger students and only slightly less Continue reading →

This video and research brief highlights how Macomb Community College and Kellogg Community College, both in Michigan, are moving justice-involved individuals into employment. Highlights and key findings from SPR’s research include: Justice-involved students enrolled in M-CAM completed their programs and earned credentials at a higher rate than the average for students enrolled in the same program. Justice-involved students were less likely to be employed on program entry, but were placed into employment at rates similar to that of other students. If employed at program entry, Continue reading →

Findings from Two Advanced Manufacturing Community College Career Pathways Training Programs Career pathways programs have the potential to transform the educational and labor market landscape of the manufacturing sector. SPR conducted multiple evaluations of Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT)-funded career pathways programs, including the Michigan Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (M-CAM) initiative and the Advanced Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Quality Consortium (AMMQC) initiative, both of which focused on helping to close the skills gap in manufacturing. Findings across both initiatives suggest close coordination Continue reading →