Machining U Helps Jackson Students Explore Careers in Skilled Trades
In Jackson, Michigan, a unique summer program called Machining U gave local middle school students a hands-on look at what careers in skilled trades and advanced manufacturing really involve. Organized through the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association and held at the Jackson Area Career Center, the two-week camp invited students in grades 7-9 to step out of traditional classroom settings and into an immersive learning environment focused on real-world manufacturing skills. Participants worked with computer-assisted design tools, metal fabrication techniques, blueprint reading, machining equipment and welding basics to build both confidence and curiosity about technical careers.
Industry professionals, including apprentices and experienced machinists, helped guide the students through the camp’s activities, sharing their own career paths and emphasizing what it takes to succeed in manufacturing fields. Enrollment in the camp grew significantly compared to previous years, with many students running mills and lathes themselves and even helping teach peers. Organizers pointed out that Michigan’s manufacturing sector employs hundreds of thousands and remains a critical part of the state’s economy, making early exposure to these fields increasingly important.
Completing Machining U didn’t just give students a taste of technical work—it also connected them to future opportunities. Campers could earn college credits that count toward Jackson College programs and learn about the JAC3 early/middle college pathway, which blends high school and college coursework. For many young attendees, the experience opened new doors and showed that careers in manufacturing and precision machining are both accessible and rewarding.
Grass Lake ninth-grader Drew Herrell (right) receives guidance from precision machining instructor Bill Pogue during the first week of Machining U, hosted by the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association at the Jackson Area Career Center.Martin Slagter | MLive.com
MLive and Fox 47 News reporting on Machining U summer camp in Jackson, Michigan.
