NFPA Michigan Workforce Engagement Group Convenes to Discuss 2023-24 Events and Opportunities

Last week, NFPA Workforce Staff hosted a virtual Michigan Workforce Engagement Group meeting. Attendees learned about how NFPA members can get involved with workforce development initiatives in and around the Fast Track Hub in Suburban Detroit.

Below is a list of exciting ongoing opportunities and events to engage with and increase your visibility to students and educators surrounding the Macomb Community College Hub:

• NFPA Opportunities:
  • Attend the Fluid Power Career Fair & Networking Event at Cleveland State University
    • March 5 from 10A-2P ET
    • This event is tailored exclusively for NFPA members to engage with Cleveland State engineering students on potential career opportunities, including co-ops and internships. While not a traditional career fair, it offers a unique platform for one-on-one conversations in a relaxed setting.
  • Judge Scholarship Applications
    • Sign up by March 25th
    • NFPA’s scholarship programs rely on volunteer judges from the fluid power industry, and we are currently recruiting people to join the judging committee. For each program, the time commitment is approximately 3-5 hours . By joining the application review committee, NFPA members have the opportunity to identify students with optimistic futures in the fluid power industry.
  • Volunteer at the Fluid Power Action Challenge (FPAC)
    • April 11 from 9A-2P ET
    • The FPAC is a STEM-based event designed to introduce middle school students to fluid power through this hands-on, team-based project where teams design, build and complete with a wood-based machine that operates under fluid power. NFPA members are invited to volunteer as judges at the event.
  • Participate in NFPA’s Speaker’s Bureau
    • Current Opportunities:
      • Macomb Intermediate School District High Schools
      • Ken Dulinski’s hydraulics and pneumatics students at Macomb Community College
      • Western Michigan University Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics Students
        • April 2, 4, 11, or 18 from 3:30-4:10P ET
    • The Speaker’s Bureau is an opportunity to inspire and excite students about career opportunities in the fluid power industry.
  • Engage with the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge (FPVC)
    • April 10-12 at Norgren in Littleton, CO
    • April 24-26 at Danfoss in Ames, IA
    • The FPVC is an undergraduate program that requires engineering students to redesign a traditional bicycle using hydraulics as power transmission as a senior capstone design project or as an extracurricular activity. NFPA members serve as mentors and judges to guide the students in their learning.
  • Host a Facility Tour for Students
    • Facility tours are an engaging way for students to learn about your company’s day-to-day environment and about what careers are available in the fluid power industry.  

• Macomb Community College Opportunities:
  • Attend Job/Career Fairs
    • In-Person Job Fair
      • April 18 from 4-7P ET
    • Virtual Career Fair
      • May 9 from 10A-12P ET for Engineering & Advanced Technology and Skilled Trades Students
    • These job/career fair events for recent and soon-to-be graduates is an opportunity for students to network with local employers looking to hire Macomb Community College graduates. You will be able to meet potential candidates and promote your open positions.
  • Hire an Intern through Macomb Community College
    • Internship experiences integrate classroom learning with practical professional experience. Students gain experience and transferable skills while learning about a prospective career, while employers have an opportunity see an early return on investment by developing future employees within your organizational culture and ultimately reducing recruiting, training, and orientation costs if you hire your intern full-time.

If you’re interested in getting involved with any of these events and opportunities in and around the Michigan Fast Track Hub, please reach out to Haley Nemeth at hnemeth@nfpa.com.

Similar activities are taking place in the other Fast Track hub regions. Click here to join a Workforce Engagement Group to stay informed of the latest opportunities to recruit and engage with emerging talent in these regions.

Fall 2023 Events

• October:
  • Manufacturing (MFG) Day
    • October 1, 2023
    • This national celebration is manufacturing’s biggest opportunity to inspire the next generation, positively shift perceptions about the industry, and build the foundation for the manufacturing workforce of the future.
    • Plug into a local event near you: https://www.mfgday.com/#find
• November:
  • MiCareerQuest hosted by Michigan Works! and Oakland County
    • November 14, 2023
    • This in-person event is the region’s largest hands-on career exploration experience for high school students, teachers, and counselors to learn about today’s hottest jobs from working professionals. Exhibitors work in careers in Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Health Sciences & Technology. The event’s capacity for students is 8,000, and 6,000 students have already registered to attend. Exhibitor sign-up is open, so make sure you fill out the form to secure your spot. The cost to exhibit is free.
  • Explore Trades, Unions & Apprenticeships Night hosted by Anchor Bay High School
    • November 16, 2023 from 6-7:30PM
    • Anchor Bay High School in Suburban Detroit is hosting an in-person event for students and community members to explore career opportunities and meet representatives across industries, trades, local unions, and military branches.
• December:
  • Virtual Job Fair hosted by Macomb Community College
    • December 6, 2023 from 10AM-12PM
    • This virtual event for recent and soon-to-be graduates is an opportunity for students to network with local employers looking to hire Macomb Community College graduates. You will be able to meet potential candidates and promote your open positions.
  • AutoSTEAM Days hosted by Macomb Community College
    • December 6-7, 2023
    • The purpose of this in-person event is to allow students, grades 6-12, to experience potential career fields with hands-on activities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, and Manufacturing (STEAM) disciplines. By gathering local businesses and student influencers they hope to spark conversation about fulfilling careers and how students can chart a path to success in STEAM careers.