About Mid
Community
Mid Michigan College Builds the Skilled Workforce of Tomorrow
Community Impact Series
From the equipment that keeps businesses running to the technology that shapes modern manufacturing, skilled professionals play an important role in the strength of every community.
Across Michigan, employers need workers with technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and the ability to adapt as industries continue to evolve. Mid Michigan College helps meet that need by preparing students for careers in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, and technical fields.
Through programs in areas such as Welding, Automotive Technology, Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC), Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training, Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CAD), and Advanced Integrated Manufacturing (AIM), Mid provides students with opportunities to develop skills that connect directly to today’s workforce needs.
“Technical education is about giving students the confidence and experience to succeed in the workplace,” said Dr. Scott Mertes, President of Mid Michigan College. “When students gain skills that are in demand locally, they create opportunities for themselves while strengthening the communities where they live and work.”
Mid continues to invest in learning environments that reflect the tools, technology, and expectations students will encounter after graduation.
The Harrison Campus Welding Program recently expanded its learning environment with an updated welding lab and classroom space designed to support instruction, collaboration, and hands-on training. The improved facility provides students with a modern environment to build technical skills used across manufacturing, construction, and other industries.
The investment also reflects the importance of employer partnerships in preparing the next generation of skilled workers. Bandit Industries, Inc. provided a $100,000 gift to support skilled trades education at Mid, including naming the welding lab at the Harrison Campus in recognition of the company’s commitment to workforce development and technical education.
Mid has also completed a major renovation of the Morey Technical Education Center on the Mt. Pleasant Campus, creating expanded opportunities for students pursuing advanced manufacturing careers. The renovated facility includes a new Advanced Manufacturing Lab, providing space for students to learn using modern technologies and industry-focused equipment.
These investments support programs that prepare students for the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Through CAD and advanced manufacturing education, students gain experience with industry-standard software, design processes, prototyping, and emerging technologies. Mid’s CAD graduates have demonstrated strong outcomes, with 97% of associate degree graduates employed at the time of graduation.
By combining hands-on learning with current technology, Mid helps students develop skills that employers need while creating pathways to careers close to home.
Mid’s skilled trades and technical programs provide pathways for students entering the workforce, advancing in their current careers, or gaining new skills for future opportunities. By preparing students close to home, Mid helps individuals build careers while helping communities retain the talent they need.
“Partnerships with regional employers help ensure our students are learning in environments that reflect today’s workplaces,” said Dr. Scott Mertes, President of Mid Michigan College. “When businesses invest in education, they are investing in the future workforce and the communities we all call home.”
Understanding the Headlee Override
This November, Mid Michigan College is asking voters to consider restoring its originally voter-approved millage rate of 1.5 mills. Over time, the Headlee Amendment has reduced the College's millage rate to 1.2071 mills. Restoring the millage would add 0.2929 mills, or approximately $0.29 per $1,000 of taxable property value, resulting in more than $1.3 million in annual funding to support the College's mission and the communities it serves.
The proposal will appear on ballots in the Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison, and Mt. Pleasant school districts, which together make up Mid Michigan College's in-district service area. Residents of the district benefit from Mid's lower in-district tuition rate and are eligible to serve on the College's Board of Trustees.
This funding supports educational programs, workforce training, and student services—including opportunities that prepare a skilled workforce to drive the local economy.
Without this vital funding, program growth, service expansion, and the College's long-term stability are at risk. For most homeowners, the Headlee Override would cost approximately $2 per month and provide funding that supports the education of thousands of students, workforce training for regional employers, and programs and services that strengthen the communities Mid serves.
