Lapeer Co. - Gear Master, Inc. in Almont is a small (10 employees) precision gear and spline manufacturing company who specializes in the grinding process. To maintain and attract customers, it has become increasingly evident that they need to train key employees on the advanced use of SolidWorks software.

Per the CBSP Fact Finding, as stated by the owner and office manage, “The training will provide features that would save production and engineering time. This would make the overall manufacturing process more efficient. These efficiencies will provide Gear Master with the technical knowledge to stay current in today’s competitive and evolving environment. We need to increase employee skill levels!”

After listening to the Employer’s needs, it was easy to identify that this was an excellent opportunity for GST Michigan Works! to help them upskill two employees through the Incumbent Worker Training grant. There were three separate trainings taken that were not possible to do during the last two years of Covid and its consequential fallout.

All three IWTs were successfully completed for a total of $4,097! Bill and Lon received their certificates, books for reference and are willing to share what they learned with their coworkers. The dollar amount may not be astounding but created more than a monetary impact to this small, tight-knit crew. They can now actively develop and strengthen an additional skillset that will have a ripple effect on the business.

Bill said, “The training was good. The virtual portion went well and the books I received can be used and referred to as needed. I like that!”
Terry expressed, “The need to train his employees to remain competitive in the market and stay current on emerging technologies – relevant to our evolving industry – is critical. This training helps do just that!”