For its expansive workforce development initiatives, the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center has been honored with the Putting People to Work Award, one of the Power of Performance Awards presented during the annual Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference in November. The event took place in Lewisburg.
The award recognizes West Virginia organizations that are putting people to work by creating training programs, matching job seekers with opportunities and “connecting the dots between employers and the workforce.”
MAMC offers a multi-pronged approach to creating a skilled manufacturing workforce in the region. Training options include career skills programs in Machinist Technology/CNC, Welding Technology as well as the soon-to-launch SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology) Program. Students in these programs can earn industry recognized credentials and an associate of applied science degree in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College. The programs boast a near 100 percent job placement rate.
In addition, MAMC delivers customized, specialized manufacturing training on location and on demand for businesses of all sizes – everything from quality implementation and management, computer-controlled machining and advanced welding to blueprint reading, computer-aided design and 3D printing processes.
MAMC also offers apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in more than 20 advanced manufacturing occupations through Apprenticeship Works, its U.S. Department of Labor-endorsed National Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.
“We greatly appreciate the statewide recognition of the extensive work we do to ensure that people can train for careers in manufacturing close to home, that companies have the skilled workforce they need to thrive and that people of all ages secure good paying jobs that allow them to earn a living in West Virginia and contribute to our economy,” said Carol Howerton, MAMC director of workforce programs.
MAMC continues to expand its workforce initiatives across the region. It opened a new advanced manufacturing training center in South Charleston earlier this year, will open a new welding facility in Huntington in 2025 and has expanded its career skills programs to increase the pipeline of skilled manufacturing talent. Watch for the announcement of additional new workforce development initiatives, which are being finalized now.
Nov. 30, 2023
