Saginaw County and Great Lakes Bay
Workforce Development

At Saginaw Future, we understand that workforce development issues are most critical to your business success. That is why we constantly facilitate linkages with labor force preparatory institutions and employment service agencies to help employers meet their labor force needs. Saginaw Future is dedicated to providing services that help your business bottom line with information on recruitment, retention, available tax credits, and staff training opportunities.

Higher Education

• Delta College is a state-supported community college. Delta offers associate’s degrees in various studies, apprentice training programs, one-year certificates, programs for students planning to attend four-year universities, and many community education classes. It also offers Associate Degrees in a variety of fields, such as chemical technicians and information technology.
• Saginaw Valley State University has a current enrollment of nearly 10,000 students. Enrollment has steadily increased since its first class of 199 students in 1963. Over 94 programs of study are offered at the undergraduate and graduate level including the nation’s first graduate program dedicated to multi-media technology.
• Northwood University is a private university with a unique and rigorous curriculum that focuses on the free enterprise system and preparation to compete in a global market economy. Northwood offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business curriculum.
• Davenport University offers degrees ranging from bachelor’s and master’s degrees to associate’s degrees and one-year certificates. It has campuses in Saginaw and Midland Counties.
• Central Michigan University, with a main campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and more than 60 locations across the U.S., is nationally recognized for academic excellence in more than 200 programs. Cutting edge research, new facilities, graduate programs and top faculty ensure an education that is one of the best in the state.

Nearby Universities

• Alma College — Among the 40 plus major and professional study programs is a strong Natural Sciences Department that offers the following areas of study: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and more. Alma College is within 40 miles of the Mid-Michigan Region.
• Eastern Michigan University — Technology majors at EMU include 22 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in engineering, design, applied technology, and a special polymers and coatings curriculum  for the fields of polymers, paints, coatings, plastics, rubber, adhesives, inks, and more. Many graduates pursue careers in research and development, or technical manufacturing. EMU is located near Ann Arbor, less than an hour drive from Mid-Michigan.
• Ferris State University — Located in Big Rapids just an hour's drive from the Mid-Michigan area, Ferris offers nearly 200 educational programs. Among them is the College of Technology offering over 30 specialized degrees in applied sciences. Students can earn doctorates, master's, bachelor's and associate degrees and can follow career pathways in Engineering / Manufacturing and Industrial Technology  which includes the following ares of study: Welding, Plastics Technology, Industrial Chemistry Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and more.
• Kettering University - is known for top ranked undergraduate programs in engineering, math, science and business, Kettering University is home to:
• the most advanced co-op education program in the nation;
• state-of-the-art programs that are consistently recognized as some of the best engineering programs in the United States;
• thirteen science, business and engineering majors; and excellent graduate programs.
• Michigan State University — is defining what it means to be a land-grant university in the twenty-first century. From its roots as the nation’s pioneer land-grant institution, the university has a long tradition of using the research and knowledge developed at MSU to create practical solutions that make a difference for individuals and communities across Michigan and around the world. Today, Michigan State is one of the top 100 universities in the world and is only a hour's drive from the Great Lakes Bay Region. MSU has numerous areas of study including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Physics and much more.
• University of Michigan — Internationally renowned for research and education, the University of Michigan offers a wide variety of degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Students experience the "Michigan Difference" and our strong tradition of excellence in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the community. The Unviersity of Michigan's main campus is in Ann Arbor, which is only 96 miles south of the Great Lakes Bay. Michigan also has a satellite campus in nearby Flint. With over 200 undergraduate majors, Michigan offers a number of areas of study, such as, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, and Industrial and Operations Engineering. Michigan also offers a number of graduate opportunities.
• Wayne State University — is a comprehensive university with 13 colleges and schools. We offer more than 350 academic programs, including 126 bachelor's degree programs, 139 master's degree programs, 60 doctoral degree programs and 30 certificate, specialist and professional programs. Solar related programs include: School of Business Administration, College of Engineering, and more.

Technical Skills Programs

• Associated Builders & Contractors – dedicated to training award-winning workers for the merit shop contractor, the Mid-Michigan Chapter offers craft and apprenticeship training for eleven trades, skills assessment testing, and safety training. Located at the Mid-Michigan Innovation Center and Delta College, the ABC provides training on all facets of construction from demolition to construction and maintenance.  Approximately 95 percent of students are or become employed by member companies.
• Great Lakes Process Technology Alliance  – a nonprofit organization, the GLPTA helps business connect with training providers and works with educators to continually improve Mid-Michigan's already  skilled process technology workforce. GLPTA develops process technology curriculum, materials, and establishes educational standards for chemical and biological process control. Its active participation in  the Center for the Advancement of Process Technology (CAPT) also serves the Alliance's partners.
• Saginaw County Business & Education Partnership – collaboration of business leaders and educators to improve and increase workforce skills; the Career Ladders initiative gives students and adults career preparation and advancement skills in advanced manufacturing.
• ITT Technical Institute – is a leading private college system offering technology-oriented programs at this Michigan college. Be a part of the college in Swartz Creek location and enroll in one of more than 100 ITT Technical Institutes in over 30 states. ITT Tech offers career-focused degree programs available at this Swartz Creek college location.
• Midland Education and Training Connection – delivers training and assessment to Michigan Businesses. Our experienced staff works with adults in education and training environments.
• MITECH+ – formed by high-level industry leaders this nonprofit organizationis the mechanism that links businesses, workers, and job seekers, with quality job training programs for all the technical skills in demand. MITECH can also set up training for and administer industry certification testing.

Additional Resources

• Saginaw Valley State University Center for Business and Economic Development (CBED) - With the considerable resources of a major state University right in our own back yard, you have only to look to SVSU’s Center for Business and Economic Development to help you today's challenges. CBED offers state-of-the-art facilities with the latest research and development capabilities.
• Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!  provides employment services directly to employers in the Mid-Michigan region. Services include employee recruitment, screening, interview facilities, skills testing, custom training. The Michigan Talent Bank is a free internet-based resume and job bank available to employers. On average the system has 60,000 resumes from across the state and 30,000 from the Mid-Michigan region. About 20% of the Mid-Michigan resumes are from people with a college degree or a vocational certification.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation Job Portal for skilled job seekers, employers.