WACO, Texas (May 20, 2015) – The HI-TEC Innovative Program Award will be presented July 29, 2015 at the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC) in Portland, OR. This year’s recipient is Gary Young, Ranken Technical College, Advanced Manufacturing Program.
This award recognizes teams of advanced technology education professionals that have designed and implemented significant innovations that have led to a positive impact on student enrollment, retention, and/or advanced technology education.
Ranken Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing program prepares students for employment with companies that have implemented team-oriented design, production, quality and maintenance systems within the modern manufacturing environment. The Advanced Manufacturing Technology curriculum is typically a four-semester program that leads to either an Associate of Science or Technology degree. The curriculum consists of a rotation of eight weeks of classroom instruction and eight weeks of training in a live production facility. Classroom instructions for the associate degree includes 28 credit hours of advanced manufacturing-specific training and education including mathematics, machine theory, CAD/CAM, and quality assurance allowing students to also achieve a “green belt” in Kaizen “lean manufacturing” principles and techniques.
Strong partnerships with area employers are key to the program, ensuring that Ranken students train on the latest technology and current tools and machines. Their students are currently interning with industry leaders including Tech Manufacturing, Hoemeyer Precision Machining, Component Bar, Mid-Western LLC, Seyer Industries, Patterson Tool & Mold, and Designs for Tomorrow Inc. In their state-of-the-art shop, students learn to program and operate computer numerical control (CNC) machines and devices, and perform ongoing inspections, maintenance and quality assurance on a wide range of equipment including: Haas machining centers, Mazak machining centers and control systems, Okuma CNC machines and control systems, and the Fanuc Control System. In-house work cell participants also gain experience in logistics, human resources, and finance, while machining parts for Hunter Engineering, Ehrhardt Tool & Machine, and SCF Services.
When Ranken students enter the workforce, they have the skills, experience and work ethic necessary for a successful career!
The High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (www.highimpact-tec.org) is produced by a consortium of National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education centers and projects and is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and contributions from corporate and industry partners.
Contact: Beverly Hilderbrand, Awards Chair