Matrix Human Services Launches Program to Develop Detroit’s Electric Vehicle Tech Workforce

Michigan-based nonprofit Matrix Human Services recently launched an important workforce program that we think can scale to other parts of the country to strengthen the manufacturing supply chain with technically skilled individuals. At SME, we often say, “Think Nationally. Act Locally” and this is a perfect example. At SME, we are especially proud to participate in this initiative that originated in our home state of Michigan! This is how it works.

With a $400,000 grant from General Motors (GM), along with training partner SME and soft skills partners St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center and EDSI, the pilot program through Matrix, called Skills to Build—Electric Vehicle (EV) & Clean Energy Program, was created to develop metro Detroit’s EV tech workforce.

“This is a program where access to resources and the opportunities collide,” said Star Allen-Pettway, President & CEO of Matrix, a 119-year-old nonprofit that provides training and education support for some 20,000 individuals and families in the metro Detroit area.

As background, Michigan is a thriving state for manufacturing with nearly 600,000 manufacturing jobs. As automakers invest in the future of EVs, a growing number of those jobs are tied to EV production, battery plants, and related supply chains.

As the EV industry evolves, so does the need for talent. The Skills to Build initiative empowers Detroit residents by providing training in EV and advanced mobility careers.

This represents a transformative opportunity for Detroit’s economic future. The City of Detroit and its residents have long faced significant socio-economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, low educational attainment, and limited access to quality jobs.

Matrix expects to train 40 participants in the EV and clean energy sectors by year-end, achieving an 85 percent certification completion rate, and secure at least 75 percent job placement within six months of program completion.

“We believe unlocking human potential is the true way that we’re going to prosper as a nation and prosper as a manufacturing community,” said Jeannine Kunz, CEO, SME. “So it is with great honor and excitement that we get to partner with Matrix to provide certification and training.”

The pilot program includes four cohorts running from February through early September. Each cohort is six weeks with a two week break in between.

It’s about more than just skills training—it’s an investment in people, opportunity, and Detroit's future workforce.

EV Training

By combining technical training, wraparound services such as childcare, transportation and housing, and career placement opportunities, the program ensures participants are equipped to thrive in Detroit’s clean energy workforce.

“Skills to Build really focuses on metro Detroiters — those who may not have had formal employment, those who are looking to upskill or even transition in their career,” said Allen-Pettway. “Hopefully we're able to do that in a way that not just supports the individual but truly encompasses their family.”

The three-part approach covers:

1. Technical Training

Skills to Build features a modular curriculum designed with flexible entry and exit points. Courses can also be taken in person and remotely. This approach allows participants to tailor their learning experienced to their specific needs and career aspirations, ensuring rapid workforce entry while providing pathways for long-term career advancement.

We are proud that Matrix specifically tailored their pathway to SME certifications and online training from Tooling U-SME including:

SME’s Certified Manufacturing Associate Certification (CMfgA):

• A 25-hour introductory certification designed for rapid workforce entry into high-demand, entry-level manufacturing roles such as assembler, manufacturing associate and production laborer.
• This covers essential manufacturing topics including shop math, assembly, maintenance, machining, and inspection.

SME’s Electric Vehicle Fundamentals Certification (EVF)

• EVF is a foundational certification focused on the core concepts of EVs and is designed as an entry point for related career pathways.
• EVF prepares candidates for roles in automotive assembly and production or further specialized training in EV technology.

Matrix also partners with St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center for tutoring services and EDSI for digital literacy preparedness to ensure individuals can succeed in a virtual learning environment. Participants are also paired with a Matrix career coach to remove barriers, provide supportive services and other employability training.

2. Wraparound Services

The Matrix team is committed to ensuring participant success. To ensure they can fully engage in training and transition successfully into employment, Skills to Build offers comprehensive support services including:

• Transportation Assistance. Reliable solutions to help participants access training sites and workplaces.
• Childcare Support. Resources to alleviate caregiving responsibilities during training hours.
• Housing Assistance. Support for participants facing housing instability, creating a stable foundation for success.

3. Employer Engagement and Career Placement

Preparing participants for the job market and connecting them with employers is an essential part of the program:

• Employer Partnerships. Collaborations with EV and clean energy employers to connect participants directly with high-demand roles in assembly, production and advanced mobility technologies.
• Career Coaching. Personalized guidance to prepare participants for workplace expectations and career advancement.
• Mentorship Opportunities. Ongoing support from industry professionals to help participants navigate their career journeys and achieve sustained growth.

Think Nationally. Act Locally

Matrix’s mission to empower individuals through skill development and a better quality of life aligns with SME’s core values. Along with Matrix, GM and other partners, we are helping communities in Detroit build a strong foundation for economic mobility.

“Our purpose is to really pioneer the innovations that move and connect people to what matters — that is the pipeline and developing skills and new talents that will carry Detroiters and Michiganders into the next-need workforce,” said Heidi Magyar, Director, Corporate Citizenship and Heritage Operations, GM.

Skills to Build is a vital partnership that will not only drive economic growth but also ensure an equitable future for Detroit. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

If you think Skills to Build could be a model workforce program for your local community, we welcome you to reach out to learn more about the skills, certifications and opportunities needed to succeed in the EV, clean energy and other industries.