“It’s had a huge impact on our students.”
Two years ago Northwestern Michigan College received a state equipment grant.
Now students and staff are impressed as the benefits unfold.
The $2.8 million grant allowed the college to buy technology and even renovate buildings for nursing, welding, marine technology, electronics and more.
“What it has done is afforded us the ability to purchase equipment we probably wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do,” explains Technical Division Director Ed Bailey.
From drones to ROVs to 16 foot tanks, it’s no question that $2.8 million can change a college.
“It will secure our ability to sort of deliver that new technology for multiple years going forward so it also gives students access to equipment that they will see in the field,” says Bailey.
But the impact isn’t all talk.
Now that the equipment and renovations have been put in good use for one school year now, students are starting to feel the benefits.
“It’s a very practical industry and you kind of need the hands on experience to be like a really good technician or really good with the equipment,” explains student Clayton Harbin. “so being able to be out in the field and in house here and actually use the equipment rather than just learn about it, it just makes you that much more confident in your ability.”
“I wouldn’t be able to do like right now, be able to come in and study and be able to test my equipment. I’m doing an internship so I wouldn’t be able to test everything out and availability readily because of the lack of the equipment. Everything would have to be done at home and I don’t have the time or money to buy a lot of this equipment,” says student Logan Morley.
An experience in itself for the college to witness.
“It’s been amazing,” explains Bailey. “Our students are now getting jobs they’re in high demand because they get to the workforce and employers love that they have these skill sets they love that they have access to this equipment and they want more of our students.”
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