Sen. Portman visits RAMTEC
Sen. Rob Portman visited the RAMTEC (Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative) on the Tri-Rivers Career Center campus Saturday, Saturday, March 15. He met with chambers of commerce representatives from Logan, Marion and Union counties, as well as business & manufacturing leaders, area career center superintendents, Tri-Rivers students and staff. The round table focused on education and jobs and how the two go hand-in-hand.
Senator Portman with Superintendent Speelman, Honda, Whirlpool, NUCOR, Autotool, ACTE, Marion Industrial Center and many other leaders were in our building today to here what TRCC is doing to overcome the manufacturing skills gap in America.
He and the other participants began their visit with a tour of RAMTEC. While there, he had the opportunity to meet with the first high school students in the country to be FANUC certified robot technicians.
Senator Portman with Superintendent Speelman, Honda, Whirlpool, NUCOR, Autotool, ACTE, Marion Industrial Center and many other leaders were in our building Saturday, March 15, 2014, to hear what TRCC is doing to overcome the manufacturing skills gap in America.
Senator Portman strongly urging the need for more facilities like RAMTEC to help create skilled workers needed in thousands of American companies now.
Senator Portman with Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Junior Scott Gould. Scott’s goal is to be a robotic technician and he is one of only 3 high school FANUC certified robot technicians in the nation.
Sen. Portman with Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Junior Scott Gould. Scott’s goal is to be a robotic technician; he is one of only 3 high school FANUC certified robot technicians in the nation. Left is TRCC Superintendent Speelman.
Scott Gould, a junior at Tri-Rivers and one of the students to earn FANUC certification, told members of the round table, that some students don’t believe they can “handle the course work” to become a technician. He said he believes that coming to RAMTEC and getting hands-on will show them they can do it.
Senior Mason Dancz, who was also has earned in FANUC certification demonstrated FANUC robots. Dancz said his training has prepared him to program, troubleshoot and repair the robots.
Portman said a trained workforce is crucial for our economic development in Ohio. Portman said, “We have 100,000 jobs open in Ohio right now but not a skilled workforce to fill them. That’s where RAMTEC come in and meets a crucial need.”
He also emphasized that students today are graduating from college and cannot find a job in their field. He questioned if these degrees are what we should be encouraging our young people to pursue. Instead he urged people to encourage students to look at all options, including vocational (career and technical schools).
These skilled positions are high paying, rewarding careers.
