The push to get more students to take the trades route post-high school has been a trending topic the past few years. In May this year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced there was a shortage of skilled trades workers in Michigan, a shortage that will continue through 2026. Getting younger generation excited about a career in the manufacturing is crucial to ending this shortage.

In 2019, Motor Vehicle Parts and Motor Vehicle Manufacturing accounted for 30.5% of all manufacturing jobs in Michigan, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. This is a fast growing field with opportunity for growth, and DTG is helping to pave the way for young manufacturers.

Source: National Association of Manufacturers

By 2028, it is projected professional trades will account for 530,000 jobs in the state - Jacob Macinkowicz hopes to be one of the many manufacturing employees.

Jacob was a former intern at Dominion. He is a junior at Kettering University, and it's part of his program to complete an internship every other term. Jacob completed 2 internship rotations with Dominion. A career in manufacturing is something that just feels right for him.

"I've always liked to take things apart, and I was always able to put them back together," Jacob said.

He started on the shop floor for his first term and moved to engineering for his second term. He quickly learned he enjoyed CAD and 3D printing.

Jacob is hopeful for the future in his career - and he'd love to stay in the engineering side of things. He recommends this type of program to anyone who asks.