These days you’re likely to hear that manufacturing is experiencing a resurgence in the U.S. Contrary to what some jobs numbers seem to indicate, high-skilled, high-tech manufacturing jobs are in demand, especially so in a traditional manufacturing state like Ohio.

That’s why a company like Siemens is making a bet on that resurgence. 

Today, from its historic Norwood Motor Manufacturing Facility, Siemens announced a $66.8 million in-kind software grant to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Students there will have access to the same Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software used throughout the global manufacturing industry to design, develop and manufacture some of the world’s most sophisticated products.

“The manufacturing industry in America is on the rise and it is being transformed by a software revolution that is enhancing productivity, increasing efficiency and speeding time to market,” said Chuck Grindstaff, president and CEO, Siemens PLM Software. And to take advantage of the rise in high-tech manufacturing requires an educated workforce.

Cincinnati State President O’dell M. Owens expressed gratitude for the grant, and said it will be put to good use. “Cincinnati State is a career college, and we’re known for our strong business relationships,” Dr. Owens said. “This software grant allows us to send our graduates into the manufacturing workplace ready to go the minute they walk in the door. That will be a huge competitive advantage for them and an even greater asset for the Cincinnati business community.”

Siemens’ software will be used in Cincinnati State’s Center for Innovative Technologies to support its mechanical engineering and industrial design technologies programs, as well as other programs in the college. Computer labs on the Clifton campus will be outfitted with Siemens software to support computer-aided design (CAD) courses. Students and faculty will use the software in assignments and research related to mechanical engineering, industrial design and manufacturing management.

Nearly 500 businesses throughout the state of Ohio and in the Cincinnati region rely on Siemens’ PLM and CAD software including employers such as Procter & Gamble, GE Aviation, the United States Air Force, Ethicon Endo Surgery (a Johnson & Johnson company), CDI and Belcan, among others.

Located near Cincinnati and originally built in 1898, Siemens’ Norwood facility is one of the oldest manufacturing sites in the world. It’s now a “Global Motor” research and technology center where electric motors are designed, built and shipped worldwide for use in a wide array of industries. In recent years Siemens has invested more than $40 million in the plant, which employs 500 workers.