Page 37 - MetalForming December 2017

In addition, a unified menu structure enables users to access information in the same fashion, and all employees can access the system on their mobile and portable devices through Google Apps or iTunes.
The Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by Plex Systems, In., Troy, MI, recognizes a metalforming company that has implemented cloud technology to drive innovation from a product or business perspective or transform business operations, or leveraged it in order to scale and grow from a size or product perspective in order to emerge as a leader in its industry.
Educational Institution Award
Southwestern Illinois College
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), Granite City, IL, received the 2017 Clips & Clamps Industries Educational Institution Award for its outstanding Precision Machining Technology (PMT) program, which prepares students with the skills and experience needed to enter a variety of machin- ing fields.
SWIC has invested heavily in state-of-the-art computer labs, manual equipment, CNC machines and quality-control equipment to teach its students, who, during the course of instruction, experience approximately 4 hr. of hands-on practical application for each hour of theory. SWIC offers a 2-yr. Associate in Applied Science degree and a 1-yr. Cer- tificate of Technology in Precision Machining. Additional certificates cover CNC Machining, Advanced CNC Machining, Mastercam and Solidworks. The PMT program, accredited by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) since 2009, has awarded 260 students more than 1500 NIMS credentials.
SWIC effectively markets its PMT program by regularly visiting area high schools, an effort led by Mark Bosworth, department head and coordinator of the college’s industry technology programs. He conducts summer training sessions for high-school instructors, repairs equipment in the high schools, channels donated equipment and supplies from industry partners to high schools, and arranges tours of modern manufacturing plants for high-school students. Bosworth also established dual-credit opportunities for stu- dents to enroll in two of SWIC’s PMT courses while still in high school and receive college credits.
National Manufacturing Day represents the largest mar- keting event for the college’s industrial programs. For the event, SWIC invites area high school students to tour man- ufacturing plants and machine shops, and attend an open house at SWIC’s Granite City campus, which includes displays from employers and tours of the technical departments. The event now includes more than 1200 students, and has helped increase enrollment in the college’s PMT program.
The school’s efforts have been successful in many ways. SWIC students took first place among Illinois students at the 2017 SkillsUSA competition in CNC Milling, CNC Turning,
Students at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) are all smiles as they show off medals earned at a manufacturing competition. SWIC invests heavily in modern machining and quality-control equipment, with payoffs including the fact that within six months of graduation more than 90 percent of students secure full-time employment in a related industry.
CNC Technician and Automated Manufacturing. Also, stu- dents completing the PMT program typically secure jobs as general machinists, toolmakers, CNC operators, CNC pro- grammers, maintenance machinists and inspectors, and CAD/CAM programmers. More than 90 percent of students secure full-time employment in the industry within six months of graduation.
The Educational Institution Award recognizes a public or private educational institution that provides outstanding training and education services to companies in the metal- forming industry. It is sponsored by Clips & Clamps Industries, Plymouth, MI, and funded by the Dul Foundation. MF
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