Rockwell Automation has announced collaboration with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) on an industrial training program to help meet the needs of today’s advanced manufacturing jobs.

Tri-C’s new Manufacturing Technology Center for Excellence in Cleveland aims to combat the convergence of workforce challenges facing manufacturers, including changing technologies, evolving skill sets, an aging workforce and a lack of interest in manufacturing jobs. The center includes an integrated line system that replicates the products and technologies found in manufacturing facilities today, leveraging Rockwell Automation products and FANUC robots.

“When we decided to build out this program, we really wanted to focus on interdisciplinary training with a range of different skills sets,” said Alicia Booker, vice president of manufacturing, Tri-C. “We know manufacturing jobs aren’t siloed anymore, so we are providing hands-on training and skill development to help prepare students joining the workforce for integrated and advanced technologies out on the plant floor.”

Tri-C hired Millennium Control Systems, a Solution Partner in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork program, to design and build the hands-on learning environment. With the support of 10 manufacturing companies in Ohio, the program will help provide skilled workers to fill job vacancies at their facilities.

“The skills gap is an issue that affects every industrial operation today,” said Govind Sundararajan, business director for field labor and training, Rockwell Automation. “This sort of hands-on training and upskilling will be key to helping fill that gap.”

The program is available as a workforce training and certification class for workers currently employed in industrial operations that need upskilling, as well as students enrolled at the college who are interested in pursuing careers in manufacturing.

The Manufacturing Technology Center for Excellence currently has four different certification programs, including safety, quality practices and measurement, manufacturing production and processes, and maintenance awareness.

Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc.