Students view a demonstration of a programmable logic controller at the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Tech Center in Kingsford. From left, are Hunter Damske of Forest Park; Marcus Wheeler of Kingsford High School; Hunter Alder of Forest Park; Justin Cescolini of Norway High School; Jacob Maxon of Iron Mountain and Susan Sturm, mechatronics instructor.

KINGSFORD — The Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Tech Center in Kingsford is the recipient of $467,000 in Career and Technical Education competitive grant funds to purchase equipment to expand its mechatronics program.

“The equipment purchased with this grant is what is needed to train our students to fill the jobs at our local world-class manufacturers,” said mechatronics instructor Susan Sturm.

DIISD CTE director Michael Mulligan added, “Bay College and many local businesses have been tremendously supportive of the grant application, especially BOSS Snow Plow, CCI Systems, LP Building Products Sagola, Systems Control, and Verso Corporation who provided letters in support.”

The equipment purchased with the grant will allow the DIISD Tech Center to expand its partnership with Bay College to offer students advanced training in mechatronics.

Local employers report a very real and immediate need for technicians that possess the skills that students will obtain in the mechatronics program, utilizing the equipment purchased through this grant. Area manufacturing facilities have many unfilled entry-level positions that the Tech Center believes mechatronics students will be prepared to fill as a result of their experience using the equipment purchased.

The mechatronics program offers students the basic training necessary for entry-level jobs in the high-wage and high-demand careers such as mechanical CAD technician, millwright apprentice, electrician apprentice, wiring technician, fluid power technician, and machine operator. Students can also pursue a number of educational options after high school.

Students can pursue a certificate in mechatronics from Bay College using articulated credits from the CTE program or attend training in programs such as manufacturing technician, quality control technician, CNC machinist, engineering technician, maintenance technician, fabrication maintenance, and electrical lineman. Students are also prepared to enter four-year engineering programs in electrical, mechanical, process/chemical, electronics, biochemical, automotive, or aerospace.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to Mike Mulligan and all of those who participated in writing the grant for their excellent job,” said DIISD Superintendent Wendy Warmuth.

For more information on the DIISD Tech Center mechatronics program contact Mulligan at 906-779-2697.

The Dickinson-Iron ISD grant was one of 14 awarded statewide by the Michigan Department of Education.