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workforce conference

RAMTEC, Yaskawa Motoman partnership to put Ohio at forefront of manufacturing industry

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“The vision we have had all along is to develop the Workforce of the 21st Century,” said Ritch Ramey, RAMTEC coordinator for Tri-Rivers Career Center. “Our goal is to create a Silicon Valley of Robotics here in Central Ohio.”

Ramey’s vision is becoming a reality as RAMTEC (Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative) and Yaskawa Motoman announced the formation of a new business partnership—The Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership—at a press conference held Tuesday in Miamisburg at the robotics company’s facility.

“This is a critical step in Ohio’s economic future because it will make manufacturing part of our economy long into the future,” said Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, who was at the event. “Five years from now you’re going to wonder what decisions are businesses going to make when they locate their manufacturing facilities. The key issue for businesses is going to be talent.”

Husted said, “We are going to get behind RAMTEC and we are going to get behind these kinds of programs to make Ohio the most talented state in the Midwest. The most business friendly state in the Midwest and the state where people say this is where the future of manufacturing is in the world.”

“We emphasize to our students that many manufacturing jobs are high-tech, exciting careers,” said Chuck Speelman, Tri-Rivers Superintendent. “Robots are doing the repetitive, dangerous and dirty jobs. Students quickly learn that by exploiting the Robotics & Automation technology, a safe, productive environment is created.”

It is estimated that 87,000 new robotic jobs will need to be filled in the U.S. over the next decade. The new partnership will expand RAMTEC’s curriculum to provide advanced robotic training and certifications that will be available to students in Central Ohio and around the state.

“I think something that we excel at in Marion is the partnership between the private sector and education and the public sector…we sort of cracked the code on how do you get manufacturers and the private sector together with educational institutions to make sure everyone is speaking the same language, said Gus Comstock, director of Marion CANDO!.

“RAMTEC is the mother ship of Robotics Education in the State of Ohio and probably one of the best in the nation. It doesn’t get any better for a company that needs people with robotics training. RAMTEC offers them an opportunity to be best in class and to find the best jobs in the nation and the world,” added Comstock.

“When you look at what is happening around the country, there are various programs that are out there being built to replicate what RAMTEC has already done. We look at RAMTEC as really ground zero for industrial education for robotics,” said Bob Graff, senior sales manager of Robotics /Education Workforce Development at Yaskawa Motoman.

Wesley Stillions, a recent graduate of Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Engineering Technology program, has already helped to build a robotic workcell for Whirlpool. Stillions plans to enlist in the military first, but hopes to get a robotics job at Honda when he returns. “It makes me feel very proud to have worked on a robot workcell for Whirlpool and especially proud to be from Marion.”

RAMTEC’s programs help students like Stillions to get high paying jobs at Ohio companies right out of high school.

“Data reveals that within ten years nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will sit empty, with the skills gap being responsible for 2 million of those jobs going unfilled,” said Ramey. “Forming mutually-beneficial relationships with manufacturers through the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership will create the foundation needed to move Ohio’s workforce forward.”

RAMTEC’s core mission to partner with real-world manufacturing facilities to help identify and supply the needs of the manufacturing industry is fueling their involvement in the partnerships with Yaskawa Motoman and companies like Whirlpool. The entire project development funding is earmarked for $400,000 to provide a comprehensive training and application development model that will reach thousands of incumbent workers and students statewide.

“Our workforce-driven training and research partnership with RAMTEC is a solid step to providing students with work-based learning opportunities in the field of robotics,” said Doug Burnside, Yaskawa Motoman’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The best-in-class instruction and certification programs provided through our Yaskawa Academy will also help to enhance RAMTEC’s vision of providing proficient training and
curriculum in 21st century automation and robotics.”

“The game changer is really about how RAMTEC is going about building a model that is sustainable—that supports what industry is looking for. It really is the biggest value that RAMTEC has,” said Graff.

 

Top Photo:
Ritch Ramey, Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Coordinator addressing group at press conference announcing RAMTEC and Yaskawa Motoman partnership. Pictured with Ramey, Bob Graff, Yaskawa Motoman, Rob Brundrett, Ohio Manufacturers Association and Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Inset Photo, l-r: Ritch Ramey, Tri-Rivers Career Center RAMTEC Coordinator; Ohio Secretary of  State Jon Husted and Bob Graff, Senior Sales Manager of Robotics/Education Workforce Development at Yaskawa Motoman.

 

History of RAMTEC
RAMTEC Ohio opened its doors in Marion in 2013. In June of 2014 eight additional RAMTEC sites were funded through an Ohio Department of Education $14,995,000 Straight A Grant. Then in November 2015 an additional $8 million Straight A Grant funded 14 more RAMTEC Ohio sites. Today, with the site at Tri-Rivers leading the way, 23 RAMTECs are located in Ohio.

“Unique to RAMTEC is that where most schools tend to direct training to high school students, at RAMTEC we are directing training to not only high school students, but adults as well, including college students and incumbent workers, said Mark Edington, RAMTEC instructor.

Since opening, the training center at Tri-Rivers has certified more than 400 students in industrial maintenance, engineering technology, advanced machining, robotics and welding careers. RAMTEC’s graduates have been hired by companies such as: Honda of America Mfg Inc., RobotWorx, SEMCO Manufacturing Co., Union Tank Car Co. and Whirlpool Corp.

Edington said in the last class of high school students at Tri-Rivers RAMTEC, 19 of the 20 were employed even before they graduated. “The Adult students going through the new Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Robotics Technician Training are equally successful in being hired at companies like Jefferson Industries.”

RAMTEC has been recognized by: the SME Education Foundation, the Ohio Economic Development Association and the Ohio Department of Education for being innovative and cutting edge. More than $20 million dollars in state grants has allowed Tri-Rivers to partner with additional career centers to expand and continue the innovative vision of RAMTEC helping to fill Ohio’s skills gap and hopefully helping to establish Marion as the new Robotics Hub in Ohio. To learn more at RAMTEC visit ramtecohio.com

robotics

Tri-Rivers RAMTEC addresses manufacturing skills gap

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Marion has always been a community that builds things. We create things. We just always have. We created the machines that built the Panama Canal. We helped move rockets and space shuttles. It’s always been in our DNA.

At Tri-Rivers Career Center, we knew there was a skills gap; industry told us. We knew students needed advanced manufacturing training, but they just weren’t getting it. So, what could we do about it? We needed to create a place to fill these gaps; we needed a place like RAMTEC (Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative).

“Our answer to the manufacturing skills gap in Ohio is RAMTEC,” said Ramey, RAMTEC Coordinator and Engineering Instructor at Tri-Rivers Career Center. “Tri-Rivers leads the nation on creating a state of the art training center for the gray collar jobs of the future with advanced manufacturing and engineering skills. We are building a Robotic Technician Pipeline.”

Ramey said, “Data shows over the next decade nearly three and a half million manufacturing jobs will be needed to be filled and the skills gap is expected to result in 2 million of those jobs going unfilled.”

Ramey said RAMTEC works with numerous Robotics, Programmable Logic Control and Welding companies to provide multiple advanced manufacturing and robotics certifications all under on roof.

“Tri-Rivers RAMTEC is set up with the most sophisticated up-to-date equipment that is out in the market today with over 38 robots, including FANUC, Yaskawa and Universal—the robots most widely used out in industry settings,” said Mark Edington, RAMTEC Instructor.

“When you look at what is happening around the country, there are various programs that are out there being built to replicate what RAMTEC has already done. We look at RAMTEC as really ground zero for industrial education for robotics,” said Bob Graff, senior sales manager of Robotics /Education Workforce Development at Yaskawa Motoman.

“RAMTEC is a state of the art facility modeled very similar to what we have at our Honda Technical Training Lab, said Drew Mosley, technical training instructor for Honda of America and a graduate of RAMTEC. “They are trying to give students a taste of what they will see on the (manufacturing) floor. They are giving them those tools prior to even going to college. I attribute a lot of my success to Tri-Rivers and the amount of work they put into building the program to what it is now.”

“They are teaching students the same exact skills they will use in the workforce It’s not a situation where there is a correlation or a parallel. It is literally what they are doing in the class is what they will be doing in the manufacturing environment,” Daryl Young, controls and automation manager for Whirlpool-Marion Division.

“They really took charge of identifying the types of curriculum and types of equipment that would prepare those students well immediately for needs that we have within our manufacturing operations,” said Scot McLemore of Honda of America. “Tri-Rivers through their RAMTEC Center has really focused on meeting our needs as an employer with our automation and manufacturing operations and then really working closely with us in terms of identifying pathways that lead to those positions that we have.”

Gus Comstock, the director of CANDO! Marion, said “I think something that we excel at in Marion is the partnership between the private sector and education and the public sector…we sort of cracked the code on how do you get manufacturers and the private sector together with educational institutions to make sure everyone is speaking the same language. RAMTEC is the mother ship of Robotics Education in the State of Ohio and probably one of the best in the nation. It doesn’t get any better for a company that needs people with robotics training.”

“The game changer is really about how RAMTEC is going about building a model that is sustainable—that supports what industry is looking for. It really is the biggest value that RAMTEC has,” said Graff.

“RAMTEC is going to keep our jobs here as apposed to moving to another country or another location,” said Annette Walton, Ohio Means Jobs, Marion.

RAMTEC Ohio opened its doors in Marion in 2013. In June of 2014 eight additional RAMTEC sites were funded through an Ohio Department of Education $14,995,000 Straight A Grant. Then in November 2015 an additional $8 million Straight A Grant funded 14 more RAMTEC Ohio sites. Today, with the site at Tri-Rivers leading the way, 23 RAMTECs are located in Ohio.

“Unique to RAMTEC is that where most schools tend to direct training to high school students, at RAMTEC we are directing training to not only high school students, but adults as well, including college students and incumbent workers, said Edington.

“RAMTEC is a state of the art facility modeled very similar to what we have at our Honda Technical Training Lab, said Drew Mosley, technical training instructor for Honda of America and a graduate of RAMTEC. “They are trying to give students a taste of what they will see on the (manufacturing) floor. They are giving them those tools prior to even going to college. I attribute a lot of my success to Tri-Rivers and the amount of work they put into building the program to what it is now.”

Since opening, the training center at Tri-Rivers has certified more than 350 students in industrial maintenance, engineering technology, advanced machining, robotics and welding careers. RAMTEC’s graduates have been hired by companies such as Honda of America Mfg Inc., RobotWorx, SEMCO Manufacturing Co., Union Tank Car Co. and Whirlpool Corp.

Edington said in the last class of high school students at Tri-Rivers RAMTEC, 19 of the 20 were employed even before they graduated. “The Adult students going through the new Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Robotics Technician Training are equally successful in being hired at companies like Jefferson Industries.”

RAMTEC has been recognized by the SME Education Foundation, the Ohio Economic Development Association and the Ohio Department of Education for being innovative and cutting edge. More than $20 million dollars in state grants has allowed Tri-Rivers to partner with additional career centers to expand and continue the innovative vision of RAMTEC helping to fill Ohio’s skills gap and hopefully helping to establish Marion as the new Robotics Hub in Ohio. To learn more at RAMTEC visit ramtecohio.com

fobotics

FREE* RAMTEC Robotics Technician Training—Learn more June 27th

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Explore Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Robotic Technician Training (RRTT) during the Hiring and Training Fair, Wednesday, June 27, 2pm to 6pm at RAMTEC. With funding through JobsOhio and Ohio Means Jobs, qualifying individuals selected will receive this valuable customized training FREE*. The value of the certifications is approximately $6,995. Completers of the training are guaranteed a job interview, according to Ritch Ramey, coordinator for RAMTEC.

*To be selected for the next RRTT three-week customized skills training class, July 23-August 10, 2018, individuals must first pass a background check, drug screening and assessment tests. They can learn more details at the upcoming Hiring & Training Fair June 27. RRTT Brochure

Those selected for the customized training will earn high-demand industry certifications, including:

• FANUC Robotic HTOP Robotic Training—40 hours in class training

• Yaskawa/Motoman Robotic Training—40 hours in class training

• Additional Training: Robotic Preventative Maintenance, Mechanical Blue Print Reading, Safety-OSHA 10, Technical Math Review and Essential Softskills

Click here to read story on recent graduations from the pilot program—since the news release they have been hired or promoted.

Contact Holly at RAMTEC if you have questions—740-389-8590 or EMAIL

ramey

Tri-Rivers’ RAMTEC Coordinator Presents in Washington DC

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Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Coordinator Ritch Ramey presents to the U.S. Congressional Robotics Caucus Advisory Committee in Washington, DC.

 

Tri-Rivers Career Center’s RAMTEC Coordinator/Engineering Technologies Instructor Ritch Ramey was part of a panel that presented Next Generation Robotics and the Future of Work to the Congressional Robotics Caucus Advisory Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC on April 18.

Ramey said, “The international race to lead the robotics revolution won’t be won in research labs alone, but will depend on effective workforce development programs and strategies. At Tri-Rivers RAMTEC we are proud to be leading the way in providing training locally and working towards ensuring that our training model is replicated to not only meet our district’s needs, but to provide solutions to Ohio’s and the Nation’s manufacturing skills gap.”

Opening remarks were given by Robotics Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressman Mike Doyle and Congressman Rob Woodall. The panel’s moderator was Dr. Ramayya Krishnan, Dean, Heinz College of Information Management and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University. The Heinz College is home to the Block Center for Technology and Society.

Along with Ramey, the panel included: Mark Lewandowski, Procter & Gamble; Jeff Burnstein, President, Robotic Industries Association; Jim H. Key, Vice President, USW Local Union 550, Paducah, KY, President of USW Atomic Energy Workers Council, United Steelworkers; and Seth Hutchinson, Professor, KUKA Chair for Robotics, Georgia Tech Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines.

Ramey presented on the RAMTEC Model. “It was critical to our economy that we started developing K-12 programming, college credits and industrial certifications as well as creating a replicable public and private industry program to overcome our national 2.5 million technician shortage or Manufacturing Gap,” said Ramey. “RAMTEC has gained national attention. We recognized there was a critical need in Central Ohio for technicians and hands-on training and at RAMTEC developed partnerships with national leaders in manufacturing equipment to credential students and instructors.”

Ramey said, “We currently have 11 of our 19 high school Seniors making great wages building robotics work cells half a day in various robotics and automation facilities in Central Ohio while still in school. They also each earned more than $8,000 worth of industrial certifications as well as up to 15 college credit hours from Marion Technical College in their Engineering Technology programs. This sets them up for success.”

Ramey shared with the Robotics Caucus some of the history of how RAMTEC was developed. He explained that in 2003, three area teachers— Ramey from Tri-Rivers and Ed Goodwin and Tad Douce from River Valley— decided to bring the National Robotics Challenge (NRC) contest to this area. “This contest has grown to more than 400 teams and 1300 participants in grades 4-16,” shared Ramey.

He emphasized that this area has become one of leaders in robotics and automation training in the nation. However, he also said, “That even with our Tri-Rivers RAMTEC’s full high school program, adult training, incumbent worker training and customized training, we alone cannot fill the immediate need of Ohio. It will take thousands of schools training students in STEM, Robotics, coding and automation to fill the shortage of the skilled workers we need. A student’s exposure to these high technologies and high-paying careers should not be based on where they live. These great opportunities need to be available to all students K to Gray.”

“A new generation of robotics technologies are entering the U.S. economy. From shop floors to warehouses, robots are becoming common across a myriad of sectors—from transportation to retail, to hospitals, banks, and other services,” said Ramey.

Unlike earlier periods of automation, these autonomous systems technologies are increasingly designed to augment and collaborate with human workers, he told the committee members. Ramey said, “Studies of the manufacturing sector even indicate that as collaborative robotics are deployed in manufacturing environments, the number of new jobs increases as greater levels of robots are deployed. While the creation of new jobs is promising, it is also clear that new robotics technologies will have significant impact on the fundamental nature of work performed and that we must rise to meet the challenges.”

“This briefing brought together robotics industry, labor, workforce, technology research and public policy leaders to discuss what steps should be taken to ensure that the next generation robotics also means broader economic opportunity nation-wide,” said Ramey. “I made multiple contacts that will assist us in moving forward.”

Upon the completion of the presentation about 75 members of the committee and audience member had a 30 minute questions and answers session. Ramey said, “Most of the questions centered around RAMTEC and how can we as a nation need to develop more programs like RAMTEC. “It made me feel proud to hear the interest in our programs. It was also very rewarding to be able to represent our community, the great state of Ohio and all our great public and private industrial partners on the panel. For me, it has really been a great experience to be a part of the creation and on-going development of RAMTEC.

robotics camp

Tri-Rivers RAMTEC Summer Robotics Camp Sign Up

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Tri-Rivers Career Center/RAMTEC is holding a unique 4-day Robotics & Automation Summer Camp, June 4-7, 2018. “Participants of our 4-day Robotics Summer Camp, hosted in our RAMTEC Robotics and Automation facility, will get the unique opportunity to operate and program FANUC and Motoman Industrial Robots. These are the two most popular industrial robotics companies in the world,” said Ritch Ramey, RAMTEC engineering coordinator. “They are used in 90% of all automotive factories in the United States.”

“Along with operating real industrial robots, participants will interact with our NAO Humanoid robot, experience the latest Industrial Cobots, create and print their own 3D projects and gain exposure to

coding electronic devices,” said Ramey.

“Tri-Rivers RAMTEC has hosted more than 20 STEM and robotics camps since 2012,” said Ramey. “These camps expose our area students to the thousands of potential exciting and high paying 21st Century careers in manufacturing and engineering throughout Ohio.”

Ramey said this Summer Camp builds upon the Vex Robotics experiences that many of the RAMTEC/Tri-Rivers camps provide, and allows participants to get hands-on, real world, exposure to the latest robotic platforms.

The camp participation fee is $100, or discounted to $80 if paid by May 22, 2018. The fee includes a T-shirt and lunch each day. The camp appStudents can sign up by visiting our RAMTEC website at www.ramtecohio to download the camp application. “Camps fill up fast, so I encourage students to apply now to reserve their spot in the camp,” said Ramey. For more information contact Ramey at 740-389-8590 or .

RAMTEC Summer Camp Registration form 2018

RAMTEC (Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Technology Educational Collaborative) is part of the Tri-Rivers Career Center Main Campus, 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Rd., Marion, OH 43302.

Tri-Rivers RAMTEC students 1st in nation to earn FANUC 2D iRVision Certification

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Cutline: Tri-Rivers/RAMTEC Engineering Technologies students earning the FANUC 2D iRVision Certificate, include:  Row 1:  L-R, Eli Rawlins, James Emery, Ryan Clark, Jaylin Tyler. Row 2: L-R, Owen Thacker, Breanna Napper, Hallie Hall-Blashinsky, Jarrod Smith, Billy Davenport, Arik Haines, Cole Stallings, Jordan Bush, Instructor Mark Edington.
Tri-Rivers RAMTEC students first in nation to earn FANUC 2D iRVision Certification

Twelve Tri-Rivers/RAMTEC Level 2 Engineering Technologies students recently became the first high school students in the nation to earn a FANUC 2D iRVision Certificate, according to Mark Edington, their Robotics instructor.

This course covers Handling Tool Applications and Advance TP programming. “The students had to demonstrate hands-on skills including: Advanced Control Structure, Advanced Coding of Programs, 2D Vision Process, Vision Concept and Error And Fault Recovery.

“This is quite an accomplishment for our students and the Marion community,” said Ritch Ramey, the students Engineering Technologies instructor. “We are so fortunate to have a certified trained instructor like Mark Edington in our Central Ohio community.”

Robot Vision applications are widely used in 21st century Automation and Integration systems, explained Edington.  “Vision is used for “Quality Checks”, Part recognition, and various robot functions.”

Ramey said, “We are looking forward to our students using their FANUC iRVision industrial certification and training in school and in their future careers as they help over come the critical shortage of highly skilled Robotic and Maintenance Technicians.”

Edington said this training is part of providing skills that will help solve the national “Manufacturing Gap” over the next five years throughout the United States.

 

Welding with sparks

New Adult Welding Classes in Tri-Rivers RAMTEC

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http://www.ramtecohio.com/training/industry/welding-fabrication/

Welding is one of the few career choices that is in high demand at all times. To meet those demands Tri-Rivers Center for Adult Education is offering three part-time classes and one full-time class in their state of the art RAMTEC training center on the Tri-Rivers campus, 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Rd, Marion, Ohio. Students can enroll now for the 48-hour Basic Welding class that starts January 16, according to instructor Levi Retterer.

Part Time Welding Course Offerings

“Since welders are needed in almost every industry, it gives them the flexibility to switch industries without changing careers,” said Retterer. “Most career choices have ups and downs; whereas, welding has endless opportunities that keep fueling the demand for welders.”

The three part-time classes include:

• Introduction to Welding, which is designed to instruct students in welding safety and welding techniques. This 20-hour class is available Jan. 9-12 and April 17-20, 4-9pm, Monday through Thursday.

• Basic Welding  teaches students the basic knowledge of shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding and oxyacetylene cutting. This 48-hour program is available Jan.16-Feb. 2 and April 24-May 11, 4-8pm, Monday through Thursday.

• Advanced Welding is for the individual in the field of welding with experience in arc welding and/or has completed the Basic Welding program. This 48-hour program is available Feb. 6-23 and May 15-June 1, 4-8pm, Monday through Thursday.

The full-time 650-hour Tri-Rivers Adult Education Welding program in RAMTEC starts August of 2017 and runs through January of 2018, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm, said Retterer. “This program covers the basics of Shielded Metal Arc Welding Flux Cored Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding with structural fabrication skills and hands-on practice and skill attainment lab sessions

Welding Brochure 650 hour course

The full-time welding program gives students the opportunity to earn industrial certifications, said Retterer.

To register for a part-time welding class or the full-time class, contact Suzy Wall at EMAIL or 740-389-4682, extension 5500 or contact Holly Ramey at EMAIL or 740-389-8590. Financial Aid is available for the full-time program.

 

 

 

fanuc students

TRCC/RAMTEC students earn FANUC Certifications

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14976892_1532994630049779_1148265425392156837_oTri-Rivers/RAMTEC:  Fourteen Level I Engineering Technology Students at Tri-Rivers Career Center/RAMTEC earned their FANUC Tool Handling and Programming Industrial Certifications recently. Twenty-eight Level I and Level II students have now completed their credentialing in Engineering Technology from Certified FANUC instructor Mark Edington. Fifty-eight students have now been certified at Tri-Rivers since 2014. There will be many more to come this year between 22 Welding, 16 Advanced Machining and 9 more level I Engineering Technology students.

mark-edington-award-photo

RAMTEC instructor is a finalist for national award

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mark-e_updated-webTri-Rivers RAMTEC Instructor Mark Edington, who was named Ohio’s Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)  Postsecondary Teacher of the Year earlier this year, has been selected as the 2016 Region 1 Postsecondary Teacher of the Year. He will be one of five instructors nationwide vying for the 2017 National Award at the ACTE Excellence Awards  Nov. 30th in Las Vegas, according to Larry Hickman, Tri-Rivers Chief Instructional Officer.

“This is quite an honor—a well deserved honor—for Mark,” said Hickman. “We are lucky to have his talents, experience and expertise in our RAMTEC Center. This award recognizes career and technical teachers and teacher educators who have demonstrated excellence and best practices in career and technical education at the postsecondary level.”

“Mark Edington’s dedication to career-technical education shows through his passion to share his knowledge with students,” says Christine Gardner, Ohio ACTE Executive Director. “In 2013, Edington came out of retirement to teach the new Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Training Program at Tri Rivers Career Center. As the only dual FANUC and Motoman-Yasakawa Certified Robotic Trainer in Ohio, he possesses unique skills that he has used to prepare his students for real-life situations.”

“Using a combination of theory and hands-on practice that he has learned throughout his career, Mr. Edington teaches students to react to real-world scenarios and cultivate problem-solving skills that will help them throughout their careers,” said Hickman.  “Mr. Edington was one of the hosts of Ohio ACTE’s summer conference professional development program in 2016 and continually shares his knowledge with colleagues for the benefit of all Career Tech students.

“Over the last three years in his education career, Edington has provided 245 students with thousands of hours of training. He has been instrumental in helping to fill the skilled-labor gap, not only in his community but throughout the state, as he has provided training to instructors that will be sharing this knowledge at eight regional robotics & advanced manufacturing technology education collaborative (RAMTEC) career centers,” said Gardner.  “His unique knowledge and willingness to come out of retirement to give his time to students shows his passion for career and technical education.”

The national postsecondary teacher of the year award, along with several other ACTE Excellence Awards will be announced at the ACTE Awards Banquet, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers.

(Shown above with his wife, Linda, at the Ohio ACTE Awards Ceremony)

2016 Industrial Maintenance Graduation

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The 2016 Industrial Maintenance Training Program recently held its graduation in the Giauque Auditorium on the Tri-Rivers Campus.  This program provides skills training necessary to perform industrial maintenance tasks in today’s manufacturing operations.  The graduates learned to design, build, test and troubleshoot.

They received hands-on training in Basic Welding, Advanced Welding, HVAC training, Basic Electricity and Electronics, Introduction to Computers and Hydraulics, Pneumatics, PLC’s, Machine Tools and more.

2016 Industrial Maintenance Graduates. Standing left to right are: Instructor Ted Davis, Joey Conley, William Goodrich, Melvin Boes, James Patrick, Walter Petty, John McDaniel, Bryon Miller, and Adult Director Richard George. Kneeling: Andrew Michalek, Ken Paul, and Mike Bisch.13323582_10156991456395578_1737894833779873615_o