Ben Hinmon, NIT Project Director
bhinmon@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
(231) 242-1485

Tribal Citizens & Descendants Can Earn While They Learn!

College isn’t for everyone – training programs can be expensive, lengthy, and difficult to manage with a job, a family, or with life in general – but vocational training can be! The Nitaazhitoojik Industrial Training (NIT) program is designed to address these barriers for students enrolled in high demand STEM-related programs. What does this mean for our community members? The NIT Program provides students money to complete the short-term training necessary for high paying jobs located right here in Northern Michigan!

The NIT program has worked closely with area manufacturers and grant partners to identify key business sectors within Northern Michigan that are growing rapidly. These relationships help our program link students to profitable careers and growth opportunities with area businesses. Focusing on these regions of growth, the NIT program targets condensed trainings that develop the necessary skillsets in students looking to jumpstart their new career without having to commit to extended degree programs.

Nitaazhitoojik Industrial Training-approved programs are offered through North Central Michigan College (NCMC). NCMC tailors their programs to meet the needs of the growing manufacturing industry in our area. Trainings can typically be completed in a year or less and provide students the opportunity to also earn industry-recognized credentials which give an advantage in the hiring process.

When completing a NIT-approved program, students will develop the skillsets necessary to make them more employable with Northern Michigan businesses. The NIT Program and its grant partners will work to connect students with opportunities for employment through NCMC’s state-of-the-art Career Development Center and hiring events. Not only can students can obtain training locally but most importantly, they can become employed locally through our program!

To further ensure the success of our students, the NIT program offers several different forms of assistance to support students with the costs associated with enrolling into a NIT-approved vocational program. Eligible students will receive tuition and textbook assistance, required course equipment, an hourly stipend of $12.75/hr, mileage reimbursement, and/or coverage of related training costs. All applicants will also receive program incentives for enrolling into and completing a NIT-approved course of study.

The main goal of the Nitaazhitoojik Industrial Training Program is to promote and sustain economic stability within the LTBB community. Program preference is given to Indigenous students or individuals of Native American/Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent. Descendancy refers to anyone that directly descends from original tribal people, regardless of blood quantum or Tribal Nation.

Preference is also given to applicants that are residing in the Tri-County area (Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties), veterans, high school students, individuals between the ages of 16 to 49 years old, and those who are underemployed, unemployed or belong to displaced households. However, everyone is welcome to apply!

Students must be enrolled in one of the NIT-approved programs of study to be eligible to receive assistance:

North Central Michigan College:

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Certificate of Development & Certificate

Manufacturing Technology Certificate

Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Certificate

Are you ready to make your next career move and increase your earning potential?

Application forms can be found in the Forms Directory

If so, please contact Ben Hinmon at (231) 242-1485 or bhinmon@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov for more information. The Nitaazhitoojik Industrial Training looks forward to working with you!