ADRIAN — While the Align Center for Workforce Development continues to breathe new life into a centrally located facility in east Adrian, plans also are moving forward with a satellite facility on U.S. 12 in northern Lenawee County .
Last week, Align Lenawee and the Align Center for Workforce Development — a nonprofit organization dedicated to workforce development in Lenawee County — announced the signing of a contract to outfit a satellite facility on U.S. 12 that will be used to bring Lenawee, Jackson and Hillsdale counties together to fill any relevant workforce gaps in in-demand occupations.
“The project began earlier this year, to create a facility for employee training that required extensive space and equipment for hands-on training,” Align Lenawee said in a news release. “Furthermore, this location was a central point between Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties, increasing training opportunities throughout the region. Currently, The Align Center is working to outfit the building with furniture and ensure it has all the necessary information technology requirements and infrastructure.”
Staff with the Align Center continues to develop partnerships across the region to upskill the workforce and develop consistent and reliable talent pipelines for regional employers, the organization said.
Inaugural classes in the facilities are anticipated to be offered beginning in November.
For the initial training, Lenawee Now ’s Industry Cluster Coordinator, Jack Townsley, has been working with the Floor Covering Education Foundation to provide a 20-week basic course which includes training on carpet, hardwood, tile and resilient flooring installation. Other anticipated classes include plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
The Floor Covering Education Foundation provides recruitment, scholarships and placement for those who are aspiring to become flooring craftsmen.
“These types of trainings provide great opportunities for great jobs in high skill, high wage and high demand careers,” Townsley said.
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Another upcoming offering at the satellite location will be in partnership with The Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan and will target leadership skills for the hospitality industry. The 12-week Hospitality Business Management Certificate program teaches key business skills including financial management, building and leading a team, handling conflict and customer service.
Construction continues on East Church Street location in Adrian
There are still plenty of updates happening both inside and outside of the Align Center for Workforce Development’s building in Adrian at 440 E. Church St.
After finalizing the purchase of the former Restore World church earlier this year, officials with Align Lenawee have begun outfitting and updating the former church and the former St. John’s Lutheran school for its new role of hosting trainings, small business consulting and a maker’s space to incubate entrepreneurial product and service development.
From August 2024: Open house puts state-of-the-art plans for Adrian workforce development center on display
The Align Center for Workforce Development is expected to feature state-of-the-art training, equipment and services for people throughout Lenawee County.
Michigan Works, Adrian College, Siena Heights University and Jackson College, for example, have expressed interest in having spaces inside the Align Center along with various other county and state agencies and groups.
The Align Center for Workforce Development is expected to make its complete debut next year.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman .
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Align Center for Workforce Development signs contract to upskill workers at satellite facility
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