Clark State Community College has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program totaling $2,497,885 to work with local manufacturers to develop new or redesigned stackable certificate programs in Welding, CNC, Additive Manufacturing, Industrial Maintenance and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.
These two semester certificate of proficiency programs will enable the transfer of credits to existing associate degree programs at Clark State and will present a variety of expanded career pathway options for students.
As the largest grant received to date, the College will expand its instructional technology, Internet-based/online course offerings and will develop an “I-BEST like” model program that combines developmental education with core manufacturing foundations instruction using a team teaching approach.
"This grant is a game changer for the College and the region," said Dr. Amit Singh, vice president of academic affairs, Clark State Community College. "Working closely with industry and educational partners, we will develop training for the next level of manufacturing and help prepare students for available jobs in our community."
Clark State will work with local employers to develop one- or two-credit hour internship opportunities for students in the program as well as employment opportunities for graduates. The grant serves veterans and military personnel within six months of honorable discharge, TAA-eligible workers, long-term unemployed, unemployed and under employed adults.
Students completing the CNC program will be prepared to earn up to 11 stackable credentials from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) under Level 1 criteria. Students completing the Welding Program will be prepared to apply and sit for the American Welding Society’s – Certified Welders examination.
Employer Partners: Tech II, Weidmann, Valco Industries, SelectTech GeoSpatial, seepex.com, Heroux Devtek (HDI Landing Gear) and the Dayton Development Coalition
Public Workforce System Partners: The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Area 7 Workforce Investment Board and American Job Centers/OhioMeansJobs Centers in Springfield and Greene County (both under the auspices of Ohio Area 7 and ODJFS)
Other Key Partners: Wright State University – Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Wright State University, the University of Dayton, Springfield City Schools, Springfield-Clark Career and Technical Center, Greene County Career Center and the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center will work with CSCC staff and the Employer Engagement Team (EET) to develop well defined career pathways in manufacturing and advanced manufacturing. Key collaborators include: the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Clark County Economic Development and Greene County Economic Development who will promote the program to employers throughout the region in terms of creating awareness, identifying internship and employment opportunities for students and identifying additional employer representatives for the EET. Clark State will also collaborate with several similar TAACCCT Round II and III grantees.