ABC SEMI/SEMCA Opens Sterling Heights Campus
Building the Future of Skilled Trades in Southeast Michigan
City, county, and state officials pose for a photo.
In early October, ABC Southeastern Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy marked a major milestone with the grand opening of its new Sterling Heights campus a state-of-the-art training facility that promises to reshape the landscape of skilled trades education across Southeast Michigan.
More than 200 guests gathered to celebrate the occasion, including ABC SEMI members, Macomb county elected officials, state representatives Ron Robinson and Tom Kuhn, and local residents curious to see the transformation of a once-abandoned building on Van Dyke Avenue into a vibrant hub of opportunity.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor captured the spirit of the day, noting how significant this project is not just for the city, but for the nation.
“This is not just another business coming in,” Mayor Taylor said. “This is a training ground so we can continue to build things here in the United States of America—and giving them the skills to be successful, to be proud, and whatever they need to enjoy their life and to provide a service right here in Macomb County that we desperately need.”
Kyle, a chainsaw carver with Red Rabbit Carving, unveils “The Builder.”
The new SEMCA facility is unlike any other trade training center in the region—designed from the ground up to reflect the needs of modern construction education. With hands-on lab spaces, advanced classrooms, and real-world learning environments, it offers a level of training that rivals traditional colleges and universities, but with a clear focus on practical, career-driven outcomes.
SEMCA chairman Sean Fisher emphasized the academy’s growing role in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.
“This building will help provide opportunities for the younger generation to succeed in the trades,” Fisher said. “Here, SEMCA will host, accommodate, and educate future leaders of our industry.”
That sentiment was echoed by Keith Ledbetter, president & CEO of ABC SEMI, who spoke to the broader mission driving the new campus.
“Together we’re opening doors for people who have otherwise been overlooked,” Ledbetter said. “We’re helping them find purpose, skills, and dignity. With this new campus, we’re not just creating classrooms —we’re building a building that rivals any college or university in America.”
For the skilled trades industry, the Sterling Heights campus represents more than just growth—it’s a commitment to the future. As demand for electricians, carpenters, welders and HVAC professionals continues to rise, SEMCA’s new facility stands as a beacon for opportunity, innovation, and community revitalization.
With the ribbon officially cut and classes underway, SEMCA’s Sterling Heights campus is poised to make an impact far beyond Macomb County— training the men and women who will literally build the future of southeast Michigan.
Local 4’s Kimberly Gill interviews Kyle Thomas who constructed a new statue for the student lobby.
