GRCC’S Leslie Tassell MTech Center provides the kind of workforce training manufacturing companies are desperate to have.
Interim President Dr, Steve Triezenberg says last year’s admission numbers showcase the community college’s role in workforce development.
“We had somewhere north of 12,000 students enrolled in our for-credit degree programs and just short of 6,000 enrolled in the non-credit workforce training and job training programs.”
One key to success is a close collaboration with local industrial leaders in manufacturing, automotive, construction, electrical, tooling, machining and welding.
“Some of that is by having industry members on our advisory councils that meet twice a year to be sure we’re current on the concepts, equipment and training we need.”
Another key factor is a strong apprenticeship program.
Manufacturing Department Head John Doneth says in his department alone, more than 72% of students are apprentices, working with mentors and taking classes that relate to their jobs.
“So when they come out of school, they have their school paid for. They’ve been working for one to four years depending on their apprenticeship piece and they have that experience that goes along with basically learning and earning at the same time.”
Both Doneth and Triezenberg say the biggest workforce development challenge is finding more students to train.
