The Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) Education Foundation, a leading educational organization supporting precision machining, has awarded two grants to cover the cost of credentialing incurred by organizations interested in offering the Right Skills Now (RSN) program for precision machining.
The program kicked off in Ohio, with grants in support of the NIMS credentialing program at Lorain County Community College and Stark State College of Technology, as they launch the RSN program. The PMPA Educational Foundation's grants will cover the schools' NIMS registration and credentialing fees. Through this initiative, students at the two schools will be able to earn four industry recognized National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certifications.
"The PMPA Educational Foundation is committed to supporting educational programs like RSN at Lorain County Community College and Stark State College that provide students with the skills that are most in-demand within the precision machining industry," said Miles Free, Director at PMPA. "The need for skilled and credentialed CNC operators is particularly strong in Ohio."
"This is just the start of the Educational Foundation's support of RSN," said Dave Knuepfer, Foundation President. "We are looking forward to helping more institutions qualify to issue RSN credentials and provide the skilled workforce that is needed in all of our shops. As other institutions adopt the RSN program we will consider supporting them with the same level of support."
RSN is nationally recognized as a fast-track solution to providing highly skilled, certified talent to the shop floor. Students enrolled in the Lorain County Community College or Stark State RSN program will complete 16 to 24 weeks of coursework, which provides them with the knowledge and skills demanded in precision machining careers. At the culmination of each course, students complete performance and theory assessments to obtain four industry-recognized NIMS credentials and enter into internships with local employers. Depending on the area of study, students will also receive up to 20 credits towards an associate's or bachelor's degree.
"Since the launch of the RSN program in 2011, we have seen tremendous national expansion of this program," said James Wall, NIMS Executive Director. "We hear from companies every day that they need individuals with the right skills, right now and this accelerated program connects individuals with high-paying manufacturing jobs, tackling the skills gap challenge. PMPA Educational Foundation grants will allow for further expansion of the program."
"Access to talented individuals with a high-quality education and advanced skills is critical to manufacturers' success," said Roy Church, President, Lorain County Community College. "RSN is an innovative approach that accelerates an individual's readiness for high demand careers, and positions them for ongoing advancement in the manufacturing sector. Collaboration is at the heart of this program's success. We are particularly proud that 10 local employers are working together with Lorain County Community College and our Lorain County Growth Partners to close this critical skills gap."
"Stark State College's mission is to prepare students for high-demand, rewarding careers, and our partnership with PMPA advances that mission," said Para M. Jones, Ph.D., President of Stark State College. "Thanks to PMPA and the competency-based RSN program, we will provide manufacturers in the region with the skilled machinists they need. Students benefit by gaining the precise skills they need to get good jobs as machinists."
For more information contact:
For more information about the RSN program, contact Melanie Stover at 703-352-4971 or mstover@nims-skills.org.
To apply for the grant funding, contact Jaya Dadlayni at 440-262-5329 or jdadlani@pmpa.org.
PMPA Education Foundation
6880 West Snowville Road
Suite 200
Brecksville, OH 44141
440-526-0300
info@pmpa.org
www.pmpa.org
NIMS
10565 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 203
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-352-4971
support@nims-skills.org
www.nims-skills.org
www.nimsready.org