Manufacturing is a rich
and evolving industry that offers diverse opportunities. The changing face of
manufacturing from its grimy past, to a modern, high-tech industry that is
defined by cutting edge, automated tools and technologies has paved the pathway
for a spike in demand and need for high-skilled workers. This demand for
skilled technicians, who have the educational credentials and the technical
know-how, is being addressed through multiple channels, one of which is
education/training.
Here in Hillsborough
County, Fla., Armwood High School recently launched a manufacturing program in
machining. The program represents a joint effort between some of FLATE’s
regional partners that include the Manufacturing Alliance of Hillsborough
County, School District of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough Community College,
CareerSource Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County. “Manufacturers across Florida
are constantly on the lookout for skilled machinists” said Dr. Marilyn Barger,
Executive Director of FLATE, the Florida-based National Science Foundation
Regional Center of Excellence in manufacturing education and training. Barger
hopes the program at Armwood will help address the regional and statewide
manufacturers’ demand for skilled machinists.
The Machining Technology
program at Armwood High School aligns with FLATE’s efforts in reaching out
to
high school students, tapping the interest of fresh talent, and getting them
excited about careers in manufacturing. The Program is poised to provide
students with a quick and direct pathway to enter the manufacturing workforce.
Armwood’s Machining Technology lab is replete with two new fabricating machines
to include a HAAS CNC lathe and a HAAS Mill that can manufacture automotive
parts, and also design parts for military and/or medical purposes. FLATE
Curriculum Coordinator, Jesse Kokotek, who was present at the ribbon cutting
ceremony to mark the rollout of the machining program, noted the machining area
looks and feels like an actual production cell that you would find at a local
manufacturing facility. “Clean grey industrial flooring and modern storage
cabinets give the training center an authentic atmosphere” Kokotek said. The program which currently has 80-100 students also
featured several manual lathes and drill presses. The program is still in its
infancy, but will be sure to provide more updates as the program expands. For
information on the Machining Program at Armwood High School contact Michael
Rendas at Michael.Rendas@sdhc.k12.fl.us
and Lauren Walden, Supervisor of Career, Technical & Adult Education at the
School District of Hillsborough County, at Lauren.Walden@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
New Engineering Technology Lab at College of Central Florida
In addition to the new
program at Armwood High School, the College of Central Florida (CF) also
recently hosted an open house to showcase its newly renovated Engineering
Technology lab. CF which is one of the 19 colleges across Florida offering
FLATE’s award-winning, A.S. degree in Engineering Technology, hosted an open
house for approximately 40 attendees that included post-secondary educators,
manufacturing representatives, and members from the local chapter of Career
Source Florida. The lab consisted of four FANUC robotic arms, and several PLC
and electrical trainers. The new ET lab will not only support the curriculum
framework for the program, but is expected to give students first-hand
knowledge and experience in using technologies that are already being used in
advanced manufacturing industries. The upgrades in the newly renovated
Engineering Technology lab will enable the College of Central Florida (CF) to
start offering Fanuc certified Robotic Training courses in Spring 2017. More
info at http://www.fanucamerica.com/CERT.
CF currently offers the two-year A.S. ET degree program with specializations in Advanced Manufacturing and Quality. CF also offers Certificates in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Engineering Technology Support Specialist, Simulation and Automation and Mechatronics. This FLATE-designed and implemented degree is offered at 19 community and state colleges across Florida.
For more information about the engineering technology degree at the College of Central Florida visit http://www.cf.edu/engineering, or contact Program Manager, Sam Husam Ajlani at ajlanis@cf.edu/352.864.2322 ext. 1471. For information on the statewide A.S degree in engineering technology visit http://madeinflorida.org/engineering-technology-degree/e-t-overview, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org.
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