Michigan’s Marshall Plan for Talent awards Stockbridge InvenTeam $200K

Stockbridge robotics and business teacher Bob Richards tells television reporters, “We hope to double our InvenTeam program and double the students involved with these grants,”

12/18/2018

by Patrice Johnson

Of 771 entities that applied for funding from Michigan’s new Marshall Plan for Talent, the Stockbridge robotics program made the cut. On Dec. 17, the Stockbridge InvenTeam Consortium was named one of just nine awardees and will receive $200,000.

In speaking with SCN, Superintendent of Stockbridge Community Schools Karl Heidrich sounded noticeably excited. “What a fantastic opportunity for students in our district!” he said. “Our students will be able to earn stackable credentials that will lead them to high demand jobs in a variety of high tech career paths.”

Heidrich credited robotics business teacher Bob Richards. ”Bob deserves huge congratulations for developing a talent consortium both regionally and locally,” he said.

Richards told television reporters that the money will provide a significant boost to the school’s underwater robotics program. “We hope to double our InvenTeam program and double the students involved with these grants,” he said.

“The caliber of the applications far exceeded expectations – both in quantity and quality,” said Jeremy Hendges, Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Chief of Staff.

The slide presentation during the announcement stated the Stockbridge High School InvenTeam TM Consortia “will be focused on training for high-skill, high-demand and high-paying careers in information technology, computer science, manufacturing and professional trades.”

Gov. Rick Snyder said the Marshall Plan “is one of the great things we have going on in the state – it’s an investment in our young people and their futures.” The plan aims to reinvent the state’s education system and put students into certificate programs geared toward filling an estimated 811,000 jobs coming open through 2024, in the fields of information technology, computer science, manufacturing, health care and professional skilled trades.

“The caliber of the applications far exceeded expectations – both in quantity and quality,” said Jeremy Hendges, Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Chief of Staff.

Nine talent consortia representing 260 entities were awarded a total of nearly $15 million in grants. Other awardees included: AMA Talent Alliance (Alpena, Montmorency, Alcona), $1,945,214; Central Michigan Talent Consortium, $1,361,611; Detroit Public Schools Community District,$500,000; Detroit Robotics Consortium,$653,000; Jackson County Career Readiness Talent Consortium, $500,000; Macomb Classroom to Career Talent Consortium, $2,486,000; Michigan’s M-46 Talent Consortium, $6,053,200; Middle Michigan Professional Trades Talent Consortium, $1,254,000.

All told, more than 150,000 Michigan students are expected to benefit.

“The award of this grant,” Heidrich said, “will allow our already remarkable programs to continue to expand into more project-based learning, student-centered learning, and authentic real world opportunities for students.”

Click here to learn more about the Marshall Plan for Talent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf-GMwfqzEorevised

Business, leaders, industry, and nine talent consortium winners gather.