SAGINAW, Mich. – March 15, 2019 – Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in intuitive motion control, today hosted a Talent Tour at its North America manufacturing operations for more than 40 high school students from Saginaw County. During the Talent Tour, students and school staff members got a first-hand look at the technology and innovation that’s involved in Nexteer’s advanced manufacturing processes.
With a new Advanced Manufacturing program starting at the Saginaw Career Complex this fall, Nexteer’s Talent Tour was a valuable experience to help students better understand the opportunities and needed skillsets in that field. Nexteer serves on the advisory committee that is developing this program.
“Today’s Talent Tour was just one of the many ways we show local students how exciting a career in manufacturing at Nexteer can be,” said Dennis Hoeg, Vice President and North America Division President, Nexteer Automotive. “As a strong community partner for more than 110 years, Nexteer is committed to supporting STEM education initiatives in the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
As part of the Talent Tour, students from 14 high schools gathered at Nexteer for a “Lunch and Learn,” followed by a tour of the Company’s Saginaw facility. Students from Arthur Hill High School, Birch Run High School, Bridgeport-Spaulding High School, Carrollton High School, Chesaning High School, Freeland High School, Frankenmuth High School, Hemlock High School, Heritage High School, Merrill High School, Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy, Saginaw High School, Swan Valley High School and St. Charles High School were in attendance for this immersive event.
Nexteer’s Commitment to M-46 Talent Consortium Career Academy Model
This marked the first Talent Tour that Nexteer hosted as part of its commitment to Michigan’s M-46 Talent Consortium, which was one of nine projects funded by the State of Michigan’s Marshall Plan. The M-46 Talent Consortium, led by Saginaw ISD, is a career academy, competency-based learning model that is comprehensive and focused on career pathways in the manufacturing, construction, automotive, IT and healthcare fields. The M-46 Talent Consortium was awarded the largest grant within the Marshall Plan – $6.053M with $5M+ staying in Saginaw / Great Lakes Bay Region.
In addition to Talent Tours, Nexteer’s commitment to the M-46 Talent Consortium includes paid educator externships, scholarships for students, work-based learning and student mentoring, partnership in the development of an Advanced Manufacturing Academy for Saginaw County and roles in advisory committees for curriculum development in engineering, manufacturing and overall planning.
“Nexteer is proud to be partnering with the M-46 Talent Consortium to help shape STEM curriculum that future Nexteer employees will learn in school,” said Hoeg. “The opportunities to interact with students and educators as part of this initiative will enable us to work together to increase interest and skill development for careers in engineering, manufacturing and skilled trades, as well as help us meet the evolving needs of modern manufacturing and engineering.”
“Together, this Marshall Plan grant and the recently passed annual $5 million millage for technical training, provide the Great Lakes Bay Region, Nexteer and other partners with the opportunity to significantly influence career and technical education in Saginaw County – which will positively impact us all,” Hoeg continued.
ABOUT NEXTEER
Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316), a global leader in intuitive motion control, is a multi-billion dollar global steering and driveline business delivering electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steering columns, driveline systems, as well as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving technologies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company has 25 manufacturing plants, three technical centers and 14 customer service centers strategically located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. The company serves more than 60 customers in every major region of the world including BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, PSA Group, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China. nexteer.com
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