According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio is one of the top employers of electro-mechanical technicians, machinists, and tool and die makers. In fact, overall employment of machinists and tool and die makers is projected to grow six percent over the next seven years. The median annual wage for electro-mechanical technicians is $53,340, while machinists and tool and die makers average $42,110 annually.
In support of these sought-after career fields, Warren County Career Center opened its new Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) Lab in December.
As part of the RAMTEC Statewide Advanced Manufacturing STEM/Career Technical Education Consortium, WCCC received a $500,000 grant for upgrading its former robotics lab. The funding was used to purchase training equipment for the lab, which is available for use by both WCCC high school and adult students.
“This grant money was used to double the size of the previous advanced technologies and robotics lab,” coordinator Dave Guinn said. “As a result, the Career Center will prepare more workers for the advanced manufacturing industry in our area. We work with about 20 area employers to give our students career opportunities and on-the-job experience. The companies and their teams support our programs in many ways, and we appreciate their involvement.”
The new equipment includes: Fanuc fenceless robot; Yaskawa robot; computerized numerical control (CNC) milling certification cart; CNC turning certification cart; five Micro 850 programmable logic controller (PLC) workstations; three Compactlogix controllers; Parker Hannifin hydraulic simulator; Lincoln welding simulator; laser engrave universal; 20 laptop computers with carts; and Vex robot equipment with 12 robot kits.
The lab features equipment that could be used by almost every technical program being offered at WCCC, depending on the specifics of the training. There are multiple entry-level careers open to these students, ranging from CAD technician to test engineer. With further training, technical careers available include CAD designer, electro-mechanical technician, machine design engineer, aerospace machinist, and manufacturing engineering.
“We have hired students from the WCCC adult program at Remtec. They completed the program in the evenings while working full-time for us. I look at the Career Center as much more than a partnership,” said William Sillies, vice president of operations for Remtec Automation. “It is an investment in the future of our company. The new equipment in the lab will enhance the skills of our workforce even more.”
WCCC conducts an electro-mechanical PLC technician program for adult learners and trains high school students through the advanced technologies and robotics program. You can learn more by visiting www.MyWCCC.org or email WCCCinfo@mywccc.org.