Manufacturers, Lyft urge Michigan expansion of high-school 'Ignite' manufacturing curriculum

Manufacturing and nonprofit representatives told the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and the Department of Education that a three‑year, industry‑aligned career and technical education curriculum called Ignite should be expanded to more Michigan high schools.

Mike Johnson, executive vice president for government affairs at the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and Joe Steele, vice president of communications and legislative affairs for Lyft, spoke at the committee hearing and described Ignite as a hands‑on set of six semester‑long courses for high school students that emphasizes advanced manufacturing, mechatronics and digital systems.

The program’s backers said Ignite pairs classroom equipment with teacher professional development and industry certifications to create direct pathways into manufacturing careers. "If we don't have people with the right skill sets, we can't compete around the globe," Johnson said, arguing that manufacturing needs a stronger pipeline of skilled workers. Steele described Lyft as…