PETOSKEY — North Central Michigan College has announced a new partnership with the Greater Michigan Construction Academy that expands skilled trades education while strengthening the regional talent pipeline for Northern Michigan employers.
Through the partnership, NCMC instructors will deliver the academy’s nationally recognized construction trades curriculum, providing students with hands-on training and the opportunity to earn certification through the National Center for Construction Education and Research, a workforce credentialing organization.
The partnership will include construction academy curriculum in core curriculum, plumbing, electrical, welding, HVAC and carpentry.
The academy is an accredited member of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, meaning its training meets national standards and results in transferable credentials recognized across the construction industry. Students who complete the curriculum will be entered into the organization’s national registry, allowing certifications to transfer among participating employers and training sponsors nationwide.
“This partnership represents an important step forward for workforce development in Northern Michigan,” Cassandra Hernandez, the college’s dean of Workforce and Continuing Education, said. “By integrating GMCA’s proven, NCCER-aligned curriculum into North Central’s skilled trades programming, we are expanding access to industry-recognized training that leads directly to employment and long-term career growth.”
“Skilled trades are the backbone of Northern Michigan’s economy and communities,” academy Vice President Bridget Sadenwater said. “From housing and infrastructure to local businesses and essential services, a strong, well-trained workforce is critical to the region’s long-term vitality. Investing in skilled trades training means investing directly in the future of Northern Michigan.”
The first cohorts of HVAC and welding students will begin training in July 2026 in the college’s new Martin Jahn Technology Center, a component of the college’s Career and Technical Education Enhancement project. The project is expanding technical, skilled trades and healthcare programming to meet state and regional workforce demands.
Local industry professionals have expressed excitement about the programs and their curriculum, noting that it aligns closely with the knowledge and skills they want today’s tradespeople to master, the release said. As employers across Northern Michigan continue to seek a highly trained workforce, industry leaders said they see the partnership as a step toward developing that talent locally.
“Our industry faces a critical shortage of qualified professionals, and programs like this are essential to building a strong, sustainable workforce in Northern Michigan,” Travis Peck, owner of Ballard’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, said. “We are committed to supporting efforts that invest in students, strengthen our trade, and serve our community for years to come.”
For additional details about North Central’s skilled trades course offerings, enrollment timelines and program availability, click here.
North Central Michigan College is an open-door community college based in Petoskey with additional offerings in Cheboygan, Gaylord and online, according to the release. The college is an Achieving the Dream Leader College with a designation of Veteran Friendly Gold by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, and is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.