LIFT, the Department of Defense national manufacturing innovation institute based in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, will expand its Operation Next advanced manufacturing certification program across Florida, beginning with Pensacola State College (PSC).
This expansion is made possible through a $2 million in funding from the Florida state government.
LIFT’s Operation Next, which started in 2017, provides free certification opportunities to transitioning active-duty military members, National Guard, Army Reserves, and their families, as well as veterans and civilians, for careers in advanced manufacturing, including welding, computer numeric control (CNC machining), industrial technology maintenance, and robotics.
Pensacola State College is the first college in Florida to provide training opportunities under this new funding. The institute is currently working with additional Florida colleges.
“We are thrilled to be able to continue working with LIFT and providing Operation Next certification opportunities in the Pensacola region,” says Ed Meadows, president of PSC. “Advanced manufacturing is critical to our area and the State of Florida, so I applaud Senator Broxson and leadership at the state for enabling us to continue supporting the Florida workforce and manufacturing base.”
Operation Next provides an accelerated hybrid program that combines online education with hands-on training to earn credentials for in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. Pensacola State’s rolling start program trains students in CNC and welding.
“We are quite grateful for the leadership of Senator Broxson and his colleagues in the State of Florida,” says Nigel Francis, executive director and CEO of LIFT. “This vital funding is critical for Operation Next to have the impact it is designed to have and provide opportunities for our service members and their families.”
Operation Next currently is training former military members and their spouses in locations across the continental United States and Puerto Rico. It is estimated that nearly 2.5 million advanced manufacturing workers will be needed to fill vacant positions in the U.S. by 2028.
Learn more about Operation Next or apply here.
