State Recognizes MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) Graduates at Michigan Safety Conference

Contact: Judith Shane (517) 322-1791

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

April 19, 2012 - The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and Macomb Community College recognized graduates of the MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) at the 82nd annual Michigan Safety Conference on April 18th, in Grand Rapids.  The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

 

MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder and MIOSHA Deputy Director Bart Pickelman presented MTI Certificates to 18 graduates.  The MTI offers participants the necessary knowledge and hands-on training for safety and health solutions and has quickly become the premier provider of high-quality workplace safety and health training.

 

"Employers today recognize that workplace injuries are preventable - and that one of the best investments they can make is to provide a safe and healthy work environment," said Yoder.  "MTI courses provide the framework to help employers implement long-term safety and health solutions."

 

Macomb College and MIOSHA established a formal alliance on Sept. 26, 2005, to develop new opportunities to help protect the safety and health of Michigan workers.  A key goal of the alliance was to establish the MIOSHA Training Institute to offer employers a high level of safety and health training.  MTI launched certificate classes in October 2007.

 

Macomb College and MIOSHA renewed this formal alliance in April 2012.  Signing the alliance were:  Dr. James Jacobs, Macomb Community College President; Robert Nederhood, LARA Deputy Director; Dr. James O. Sawyer IV, Macomb Community College Provost & Vice President for the Learning Unit; and Martha Yoder, MIOSHA Director.

 

"Macomb is pleased to partner with MIOSHA in the commitment to continual improvement in workplace safety and health practices," said Michael Metz, Director, Public Service Institute, Macomb Community College.  "MTI's hands-on opportunities offer both employers and their employees meaningful skills to positively impact workplace safety."

 

The MTI has seen tremendous growth, from 917 participants trained in April 2008, to nearly 11,000 participants trained to date.  In FY 2011 the MTI offered 135 courses statewide at 28 cosponsors, including Macomb College, M-TEC facilities, community colleges, and safety and health organizations.  There were more than 2,700 participants in FY 2011.  To date, 432 MTI students have qualified for Level One Certificates and 32 have qualified for Level Two Certificates.  Of the total 464 certificates awarded, 38 are dual certificates.

  

The MTI delivers affordable, participant-driven and informative seminars based on the most up-to-date industry standards in a hands-on, interactive environment.  Students attend a series of courses that will help them develop the knowledge and skills to improve their company's safety and health system.  MTI classes are consistent throughout the state, and have the same length, format, resources, activities, objectives and assessment.

 

In July 2009, MIOSHA developed an MTI Scholarship Program to help employers, employees and others attend training during these difficult economic times.  The scholarships cover half the cost of an MTI class anywhere in the state.  Unemployed workers can apply for the entire cost and only pay the $25.00 data base fee.  To date, MIOSHA has provided more than $155,000 in scholarships.

 

Participants can attend MTI courses at any cosponsored location across the state.  All participants who successfully complete a course become part of the MTI database managed by Macomb College. Transcripts are available to all participants.  The MTI assessment-based certificate program offers participants an opportunity to be recognized for their educational efforts and increased technical expertise.  MTI courses offer a Level One Safety and Health Certificate, with two tracks, General Industry and Construction.  MTI courses also offer Continuing Education Credits and Maintenance Points.

 

The MTI started offering advanced training in 2010, and the Level Two Certificate is offered in two areas.  The Level Two Safety and Health Management Systems Certificate provides in-depth information on the management of safety and health systems.  The Level Two MIOSHA Compliance Certificate provides technical training on MIOSHA standards, and offers General Industry or Construction certificate tracks.  A full list of MTI courses and locations is available at www.michigan.gov/mioshatraining.

 

MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) Graduates

 

Management Systems Safety and Health - Level Two

Denin D. Bittner of Coloma

Employer:  Siemens, Benton Harbor

Jason Little of Coloma

Employer:  Siemens, Benton Harbor

Kyle Frailing of Kalamazoo

Employer:  Miller-Davis Co., Kalamazoo

Mark Gliha of Waterford

Employer:  Oakland-Macomb IDD/Meadowbrook, Southfield 

Arnold C. Love of Farmington Hills

Employer:  Visteon Corp., Van Buren Township

Rebbecca E. Schramm of Portage

Employer:  Stryker Instruments, Portage

Amy J. Vail of Cadillac

Employer:  City of Cadillac

Steven Jon Vander Hill of Holland

Employer:  Acrisure, Caledonia

  

Dual Certificate - General Industry & Construction - Level One

Katherine M. Lancour of Okemos

Employer:  CMS Energy, Jackson

Kevin J. Musser of Auburn

Employer:  Dow Corning, Midland

 

General Industry Safety and Health - Level One

James Curtis Jr. of Royal Oak

Employer:  U.S. Farathane, Auburn Hills

Todd M. Johnson of Southhaven

Employer:  Genzink Steel, Holland

Kathleen E. Kiss of Hamilton

Employer:  Hamilton Farm Bureau Co-op, Hamilton

Michael McNeal of West Olive

Employer:  OMT-VEYHL USA, Holland

Jessie Richmond of Clarkston

Employer:  Brose North America, Auburn Hills

Susan L. Rollins of Grand Haven

Employer:  Genzink Steel, Holland

James Strzyzykowski of Berrien Springs

Employer:  Siemens, Benton Harbor

 

Construction Safety and Health - Level One

Tracy Koss of Port Huron

Employer:  Semco Energy, Port Huron

 

Macomb's Public Service Institute (PSI) administers the MTI.  The PSI educates students and working professionals for positions of responsibility and leadership in public service that includes police, fire, emergency medical services, and industrial health and safety training.  Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation's leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 50,000 students annually.  Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and is the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan.

 

 

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