MIOSHA Training Institute Honors First Graduates
Thirteen members of the first graduating class of the MIOSHA Training Institute were recognized April 15 during the 78th annual Michigan Safety Conference in Lansing. Richard McMillan, Ph.D., vice oresident for Economic and Workforce Development at Macomb Community College, and Doug Kalinowski, CIH, MIOSHA's director, presented MTI Level I Certificates to the graduates, but many more are waiting in the wings. MIOSHA said 917 students from 330 companies are now registered in the MTI program, which provides seminars with 28 co-sponsors across the state.
"The MTI has quickly become the premier provider of high-quality workplace safety and health training," said Kalinowski. "Employers with a strong safety and health system experience significantly reduced workplace injuries, which has a tremendous impact on their bottom line. The MTI offers participants the necessary knowledge and hands-on training for safety and health solutions."
Macomb and MIOSHA established an alliance Sept. 26, 2005, to develop new opportunities to help protect the safety and health of Michigan workers. A key goal of that alliance was to establish the institute to offer employers high-level training. MTI started certification classes in October 2007. "As a leader in workforce development, Macomb College is pleased to partner with MIOSHA to heighten the importance of workplace safety and health practices to enhance both employee experiences and employer objectives," said McMillan. "By the end of our first year in September 2008 of offering certification statewide, we expect to provide real-world safety training solutions to 1,600 individuals."
Safety directors, safety coordinators, safety committee members, and union members can attend some of the more than 80 courses given at Macomb, M-TEC facilities, community colleges, and safety and health organizations. Certification is awarded when a participant attends six full days of training within a three-year timeframe. The two certification tracks are General Industry and Construction.