Apprenticeship Testimonial: Cosma Casting

Cosma Casting Michigan, a division of Dieomatic Incorporated and part of Magna International, plays an important role in the Battle Creek manufacturing community. As a global mobility technology company and one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, Magna develops innovative solutions across the entire vehicle. For more than 11 years, Cosma Casting Michigan has been a leader in die cast structural components and assemblies while employing more than 380 people from the local community.

To continue building a skilled workforce, Cosma Casting Michigan invests in education and skills development opportunities for its employees. In 2024, the company partnered with Michigan Works! Southwest and the W.E. Upjohn Institute to support and expand its apprenticeship program. Through this collaboration, Cosma Casting Michigan was able to provide 12 apprentices with the resources, training, and support needed to develop the technical skills required to succeed in modern manufacturing.

The apprenticeship program combines structured training with hands-on experience, allowing participants to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to support their departments and the company’s manufacturing operations. Upon completion of the program, apprentices earn a U.S. Department of Labor Journeyperson certification, positioning them for long-term career growth in the skilled trades.

The impact of the program is already being felt across the facility. Department leaders have reported that apprentices are demonstrating greater confidence in their work and are increasingly able to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve potential issues on production lines before they affect operations. This growth in technical skill is contributing to improved production efficiency and higher product quality throughout the facility.

The success of the apprenticeship program is also creating a positive ripple effect across the workforce. Production operators who are not currently apprentices have expressed interest in joining the program to gain new skills and advance their careers. As a result, Cosma Casting Michigan has seen improvements in employee morale and retention, along with increased interest in skilled trades pathways within the company. Support from the State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) grant has also enabled Cosma Casting Michigan to add additional apprentices to its trade programs.

“We would like to thank the Michigan Works! Southwest and Upjohn Institute teams for their continued support with our recruitment and skilled development needs,” said Paul N. Myles, Senior Manager of Government Workforce Development and Training Programs.

Through strong partnerships and continued investment in workforce training, Cosma Casting Michigan is helping employees build lasting careers while strengthening the future of advanced manufacturing in the Battle Creek community.