Rockwell Automation and Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will expand worker access to automation training in outstate Minnesota.
ATCC staff members will complete a Rockwell Automation train-the-trainer course, which will allow ATCC to offer five certified Rockwell Automation training courses to students.
The certified Rockwell Automation training courses, which ATCC will be authorised to offer in 32 counties in central Minnesota, will expand access to training in the region, making it more convenient for technical manufacturing workers to advance their automation skills, and helping the state's manufacturing companies remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Courses are expected to be available in the autumn term of 2010.
To develop the programme, ATCC and Rockwell Automation are working in conjunction with Werner Electric Supply Minnesota - an authorised Rockwell Automation distributor that is part of the Rockwell Automation Partner Network framework.
Werner Electric Supply will provide equipment and local support for the training programme.
ATCC has received a grant for more than USD98,000 (GBP63,000) from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' Innovation Fund to purchase the hardware and software needed to build training equipment that utilises the most current versions available from Rockwell Automation.
