News Photo by Jordan Spence Participants in the Alpena Community College Manufacturing Boot Camp try welding techniques from instructor Scott MacKenzie Tuesday in Alpena.

ALPENA — Three people took part in the Alpena Community College Manufacturing Boot Camp this week.

The boot camp was a free full emersion into advanced manufacturing, grant Director Dawn Stone said.

“(Monday) they did (computer-aided design) work, today they’re doing welding. Later this week they’re doing more machine work,” Stone said.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit local manufacturers to know more about their practices, she said.

“On Friday we will have interviews. We had Michigan Works help do some job readiness training, so they practiced interviews and went over resumes,” she said.

Stone said manufacturing has evolved and there’s more to it than ever before. The necessary training has become more technical and more hands-on, she said.

“This boot camp gives them the chance to touch, feel and use the professional grade equipment we have here,” Stone said.

Participant Betsy Lehndorff attended to help her understand manufacturing more.

“I’ve been a silversmith for 10 years. This training helps my own work,” she said. “The more I know about the process the better I will do.”

One element of the work she’s learned during the camp was about efficiency. Lehndorff said this helped her to show the basics needed to run a company.

“It’s been fun to work with people who are serious about manufacturing. This is about getting stuff done and completed. It just makes manufacturing amazing,” Lehndorff said.

Jordan Spence can be reached via email at jspence@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.