Completed earlier this year, the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory is a truly collaborative effort between Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids Community College, and the private manufacturing industry. Located in the heart of the Arena District, the two story, 15,000-sf facility was designed to meet the demands identified by manufacturing leaders and educate through experiential learning.
The AMP Lab combines prototyping, training and small-scale manufacturing with the opportunity for individuals to earn college credits to be used toward a degree or certification. The facility includes 3D printers and scanners, a CAD/CAM lab, plasma cutter, laser cutter, welding station, metrology equipment, and prototyping tools. With compact class sizes, the spaces offer WMU undergraduate courses, GRCC manufacturing courses, workshops, specialized trainings, product design, and manufacturing consulting.
As the Grand Rapids community has come together to support the space, it already serves as a testament to what can happen when cities embrace lifelong learning and offer people the skills they need for in-demand careers.
