Page 26 - MetalForming December 2013

Awards of Excellence in Metalforming
and leadership skills. M-
Powered also includes
wrap-around services,
which help students
identify and reduce edu-
cational and employment
barriers. Each student
works with an employ-
ment counselor who pro-
vides guidance outside of
the classroom, while HTC
provides advisors for inside the classroom.
The college offers two educational options—the traditional three levels, and a Fast Track option. Traditional levels include:
• Level 1—Manufacturing Fundamentals, which focuses on skills such as shop math, print reading, hand tools, meas- uring tools and inspection techniques;
• Level 2—Specialized Lab, which provides students with lab training in their area of focus—CNC Mill, CNC Lathe or Quality Control; and
• Level 3—Internship/On-the-Job Training.
Students completing the levels earn college credits toward a 2-yr. machining program degree, industry credentials and an occupational certificate.
In the Fast Track soldering program, individuals receive 120 hr. of training that prepares them to take the IPC J-STD- 001 industry certification. They also can earn two college credits, 6.4 CEUs and IPC certification. Once completing the requirements, graduates begin a lifelong education and career in manufacturing.
The M-Powered program has been a big success. In less than one year, the program allows students to earn $12-14 per hour with little or no manufacturing experience. HTC active- ly works with local manufacturing companies who participate on a business advisory committee that meets monthly. Eighty percent of companies involved with the PMA Twin Cities District have participated in the M-Powered program and have hired many HTC graduates.
SWIC received its Educational Institution Award for its Pre- cision Machining Technology (PMT) program. Students can earn a 2-yr. Associate in Applied Science degree and a 1-yr. Certificate of Technology in Precision Machining.
SWIC has continued to invest significant resources into its PMT program, and made major advancements since 2011. A federal Department of Labor (DoL) grant enabled the college to invest nearly $1 million to double the size of its PMT facilities, purchase new equipment and upgrade its machin- ing curriculum. As a result, SWIC has revamped the associ- ate degree and certificate of technology programs to devel- op higher-level skills for its students. Associate and certificate programs now include a large CNC component beginning in the first semester. Additional certificates are available in CNC Machining, Mastercam, Solidworks and Advanced CNC Programming. The DoL grant also allowed the college to
develop advanced CNC cours- es in a sharable, online format for access by other educational institutions.
SWIC effectively markets its PMT program by regularly vis- iting with high schools in the district. In addition, in 2013 the school created a new webpage and marketing video for its Technical Education Division. Part of SWIC’s marketing efforts includes the promotion of dual
enrollments—students earn high-school and college credits for certain general education and technical courses. To date, 107 students from 11 high schools have enrolled in PMT dual- credit courses, many of whom will continue to pursue an AAS in the PMT program after high-school graduation.
SWIC also works closely with industry representatives on an advisory committee that meets twice during each aca- demic year. The committee helped to transform the col- lege’s outdated industrial-machining program into the modern PMT program. Committee members also helped the college earn donations of new and used equipment and other supplies.
The school’s efforts have paid dividends in multiple ways. Students received recognition at the 2013 SkillsUSA compe- tition, taking first place in Precision Machining, CNC Milling and CNC Turning in the state of Illinois. Total enrollment in the PMT program has increased from 86 students in the 2010-2011 school year to 146 students in the 2012-2013 year. Following graduation, nearly 90 percent of graduates have secured employment in the industry within six months.
The Educational Institution Award, sponsored by Clips & Clamps Industries, Plymouth, MI, and funded by the Dul Foundation, recognizes a public or private educational insti- tution that provides outstanding training and education services to companies in the metalforming industry. Clips & Clamps Industries and Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, through the Dul Foundation and the families of Michael and Kathleen Aznavorian, Douglas and Sandy Mily and the late Estelle Dul, support the efforts of the Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation. MF
Are You a Winner?
Stake your claim to fame by submitting an entry for PMA’s 2014 Awards of Excellence in Metalforming. It’s your chance to recognize employees, have your company recognized within your industry, and let your customers— and potential customers—know what you bring to the table. Visit www.pma.org/awards to see details about each award, or contact Christie Carmigiano at 216/901- 8800 or ccarmigiano@ pma.org for more information.
24 MetalForming/December 2013
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