Michigan high schools are investing in advanced manufacturing education, bringing industry-aligned technology, credentials and career pathways into their classrooms.
DETROIT, Mich. (Nov. 9, 2026) – A new wave of advanced manufacturing education is spreading across Michigan high schools, supported by a statewide grant designed to increase student access to and enrollment in career and technical education.
Districts across the state are launching IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing, an advanced manufacturing and mechatronics program developed by LIFT, the Detroit-based Manufacturing USA institute supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, and Jeffersonville, Indiana-based Amatrol, the leading manufacturer of technical learning systems and curriculum.
Through IGNITE’s multi-year curriculum, districts are building hands-on technical programs that introduce students to mechanical and electrical systems, PLCs, automation, robotics, CNC, additive manufacturing, mechatronics and Industry 4.0. Students can earn industry-recognized credentials through the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and go right into high-wage jobs in manufacturing or continue their education at Michigan’s community colleges.
It’s a much-needed advancement in technical education, one that’ll serve students and regional employers alike. Modern industry is high-tech and increasingly depends on a workforce who understands how mechanical systems, electrical systems, controls, automation, robotics and digital technologies operate together.
Students at Delton Kellogg High School learn on their new Amatrol mechatronics system, part of the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing program
“A lot of people still picture manufacturing the way it was decades ago, but today it’s technology, problem-solving, and precision,” said Jeremy Wright, superintendent of Delton Kellogg Schools, one of the first districts in the state to deliver IGNITE courses. “These are good jobs that pay well, and many of them are close to home. When we prepare students for them, it’s good for our families and for our local employers.”
According to the State of Michigan, manufacturing accounts for 15% of all private-sector jobs. Nationally, manufacturers may need as many as 3.8 million new workers by 2033, with an estimated 1.9 million positions at risk of going unfilled.
IGNITE creates a pathway to connect classroom experience to these careers. It’s a project-based learning program designed to build technical skill foundations, while also challenging students to complete real-world projects as a team. Those experiences develop durable skills and expose students to what it’s like to work in a manufacturing environment.
“We hope this program helps students discover talents and career interests they may not have considered,” said Troy Reehl, superintendent of Ubly Community School District. “We want them to experience the satisfaction of designing, building, troubleshooting, and solving problems together.”
For Michigan manufacturers, seeing high schools align their CTE programs to modern industrial practices is reassuring.
“As more schools across Michigan embrace IGNITE, we have an incredible opportunity to strengthen the connection between education and the manufacturing communities that surround them,” said Bill Rayl, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, an organization that has supported the growth of IGNITE in the state. “MMA looks forward to working with participating schools to engage local manufacturers in IGNITE classrooms, giving students greater exposure to the people, careers and possibilities within Michigan manufacturing and helping build a stronger talent pipeline for the future.”
That exposure can carry particular weight in rural communities, where specialized technical education may be harder for students to reach. The State’s 61v CTE Expansion Grant, backed by $68 million in legislative funding, was created to support “CTE deserts” statewide, where students have limited access to formal technical education programming.
“As a rural district in Huron County, we want our students to have access to learning opportunities that prepare them for a changing workplace,” added Troy Reehl. “Technology continues to shape manufacturing, agriculture, and the businesses that support our community. Advanced manufacturing education helps students understand how their math, science, and technology skills apply to those fields. Our goal is to prepare students for rewarding careers while helping strengthen the future workforce of our region.”
For students, taking IGNITE courses will equip them for a number of postsecondary pathways.
“Students get hands-on experience, so they’re not just reading about this stuff, they’re doing it,” Wright said. “And it opens a lot of doors afterward: going straight to work, an apprenticeship, community college, a four-year degree. We want every student to leave knowing what their options are and having something real to show for it.”
ATS Midwest worked with participating Michigan districts to develop their advanced manufacturing programs and pursue 61v funding, and will continue supporting implementation through technical education equipment, curriculum, training and industry connections. Through this initiative, eight more high schools joined the 100+ districts nationwide who are teaching the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing program.
IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing is a high school advanced manufacturing and mechatronics program developed through LIFT, a Detroit-based Manufacturing USA institute supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, and Amatrol, a Jeffersonville, Indiana-based manufacturer of technical learning systems and curriculum. The multi-year program combines project-based curriculum, eLearning and hands-on industrial training systems, and incorporates learning aligned with industry-recognized certifications from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance.
ATS Midwest, along with LAB Midwest and Mission Learning Systems, is the largest distributor of technical learning systems and curriculum in the Midwest. ATS Midwest helps Michigan schools establish and expand technical education programs through equipment, curriculum, training, program planning and implementation support. ATS Midwest is the sole provider of Amatrol educational products and the IGNITE program in Michigan and, through the state’s Section 61v initiative, has helped districts develop advanced manufacturing pathways, pursue grant funding and connect with industry partners.
