Cleveland — As companies and organizations across the country prepare for Manufacturing Day events on Oct. 7, Tooling U-SME, a leading provider of manufacturing training solutions, is celebrating modern manufacturing by announcing the recipients of the 2016 Tooling U-SME Platinum Education Center (TUPEC) Award. Three institutions are being recognized as outstanding academic models for the advancement of the manufacturing industry.
"Our annual TUPEC Award recognizes postsecondary schools that are enhancing the professional development of students by using online and hands-on training in an innovative, blended learning format - helping to train current and future talent," said Jeannine Kunz, vice president, Tooling U-SME. "The recipients of this year's TUPEC Award have made significant contributions to manufacturing education over the past year, and we are proud to honor their efforts."
Since 2012, Tooling U-SME has recognized exceptional community colleges and career technical schools that embrace flexibility, high-quality content and efficiencies in teaching skills students need to become valuable members of the manufacturing workforce. When students complete their programs and graduate from these schools, they are well prepared to succeed in the advanced manufacturing industry.
2016 TUPEC award recipients:
- Robert. C. Byrd Institute RCBI, based in West Virginia, receives the TUPEC Award for helping local manufacturers find innovative ways to address the national skills gap. At West Virginia's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, RCBI offers a variety of general and customized training courses that include a college degree option and model apprenticeship programs.
- Bridgerland Applied Technology College Bridgerland Applied Technology College in Logan, Utah, was selected for providing students with flexible, self-paced training solutions to build their skills-set, so they can enter the workforce immediately, even as they complete their training in the BATC manufacturing program.
- Harper College Harper College, Palatine, IL, is a TUPEC recipient for working with its local industry to prepare students for manufacturing jobs in their communities. Through Harper's earn-and-learn program, students gain hands-on experience from apprenticeships and internships, while taking classes at the college.
With the skills gap expected to result in 2 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2021, it's imperative that the industry have access to workers with the right skills to grow and succeed. Many community colleges and technical schools offer high-quality learning and development programs that produce well-trained manufacturing talent. Manufacturers that hire students from these institutions can be rest assured they have access to some of the best talent in the country.