Local residents can earn skilled trades certifications in welding, CNC machining, industrial technology maintenance, and robotics.
DETROIT – LIFT, the Department of War-supported national advanced materials and manufacturing innovation institute, officially launched a new cohort of Operation Next® students at its Corktown headquarters in partnership with Detroit at Work. The program aims to strengthen the local southeast Michigan industrial and broader defense industrial base by certifying Detroit’s next generation of advanced manufacturing talent.
Through the partnership with DESC, more than 80 Detroit residents have the opportunity to obtain in-demand and valuable certifications in CNC Operations, Welding, and Robotics through LIFT’s Operation Next. Detroit at Work (DAW), powered by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, a Michigan Works! Agency, provides career coaching through access to its job portals, supportive services and free training program partnerships. Job placement resources will also be available.
Operation Next, a competency-based, self-paced program featuring a hybrid advanced manufacturing-focused curriculum, allows students to learn theory online through simulations and multimedia and then demonstrate their new skills on real-world manufacturing equipment. Upon completing the curriculum program, students can earn certifications from The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) for CNC Operations, The American Welding Society (AWS) for Welding, and Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) for Robotics.
The manufacturing sector, both nationally and within Michigan, is currently grappling with a systemic “skills gap” that has evolved from a looming concern into a significant drag on economic growth. According to Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute (MI), the U.S. is facing a potential deficit of 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030, a talent shortage that threatens to cost the national economy upwards of $1 trillion in lost GDP.
“Detroit at Work is proud to serve as a partner in helping to secure valuable skilled trades jobs and trainings for Detroiters,” said Terri Weems, DESC’s Interim President. “Through our collaboration with LIFT, we are excited to cover the training costs for multiple in-demand programs, making them free for local residents.”
“Detroit is our home, as it has been for the 12 years since our founding, so we are proud to be able to support the local community with these certification opportunities in careers which are critical to our city, state, and nation’s manufacturing, and therefore economic, future,” said Dr. Robert Shaner, Chief Education and Workforce Development Officer, LIFT.
Open to Michigan residents, training slots still remain for this cohort. To learn more or apply, please visit https://www.opnextjobs.com/
For more information, visit www.lift.technology.
About LIFT
LIFT, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is the Detroit-based, public-private partnership with the Department of War, industry, and academia, committed to the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies, and implementing talent development initiatives to better prepare the workforce today and in the future. LIFT funded in part by the Department of War with management through the Office of Naval Research. Visit https://lift.technology/ or follow on LinkedIn at LIFT or on Twitter @NewsFromLIFT to learn more.
Forging the Next 250 Years: Powering the Next Era of American Manufacturing
Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) began as a World War II-era military supply base. Today it is New York City’s largest publicly owned industrial campus, with 59 waterfront acres, more than 4 million square feet and over 100 businesses. In this episode of Industry Insights, Bridget Chansakul, Vice President of Leasing & Portfolio Management at NYCEDC, explains what space is available and what’s planned for the 250,000+ square feet of new industrial space in Building A. She also covers how the ferry, parking and on-site childcare help tenants hire and keep workers, along with workforce partnerships, City incentives for manufacturers and where BAT is headed next.
Get In Touch
Google news and SEO compliant, Industry Today’s state-of-the-art digital media platform offers bespoke media campaigns that target key decision makers and buyers to achieve your marketing and promotional goals.
Contribute
Showcase your brand and promote your business to our highly targeted audience. We offer detailed Google Analytics with measurable ROI to assure success. Submit your content for review by our Editorial team who will contact you to discuss the project further.
About Us
Reach Your Targeted Audience and Grow Your Business. Learn more About Industry Today.
Contact Us
© 2026 Industry today. All Rights reserved.
