Manufacturing Day spotlights relationship between Great Plains, Workforce Development

Manufacturing Day spotlights relationship between Great Plains, Workforce Development

Manufacturing has come a long way from its traditional roots. Modern manufacturing processes are characterized by automation, robotics, and the integration of digital technologies. These changes have redefined the skills required in the manufacturing sector. Thanks to advancements in technology and an evolving global economy, manufacturers today seek highly skilled workers who can operate and maintain complex machinery, troubleshoot technical issues, and adapt to rapidly changing production processes.

Great Plains Technology Center’s programs have adapted to meet the evolving demands of the local manufacturing industry. These programs offer a wide range of courses that can equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s modern manufacturing jobs.

Every year, on the first Friday of October, we and our fellow Oklahoma CareerTech technology centers proudly observe National Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for manufacturers to highlight what takes place in factories across the country and to energize a future pipeline of skilled workers. October is also Manufacturing Month, which celebrates and promotes the success of U.S. Manufacturers in the global marketplace.

Southwest Oklahoma and the state boast a rich manufacturing presence. Local manufacturing plants include Henniges Automotive, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, IPEX, and Republic Paperboard Company. We are proud to have built strong relationships with these manufacturing partners.

For this year’s Manufacturing Day observance, Great Plains Technology Center’s Business and Industry Services division invited our students to attend manufacturing demonstrations performed by our Industrial Maintenance students and instructors showcasing manufacturing’s impact on their education by exposing them to new opportunities and choices in our local manufacturing community. Efforts such as this underscore our commitment to fostering the growth of a skilled workforce in Southwest Oklahoma.

As you read this, you may ask yourself why an observance of Manufacturing Day, Manufacturing Month, and the manufacturing industry is important to Great Plains Technology Center? I can name several reasons why it’s important to us and Oklahoma.

As a former welding instructor, the ability to show my students the skills they learned in class and the certifications they earned could directly impact their career choices, including a career in manufacturing, was significant. The correlation between the manufacturing industry and the courses we teach at Great Plains continues to have a strong relationship.

At Great Plains Technology Center, we focus on skills development in areas such as information technology, pre-engineering, welding, and other trade and industrial programs, including an Industrial Maintenance program at the Lawton campus and an Introduction to Manufacturing course at the Frederick campus.

Our curriculum is industry-driven. Our curriculum remains up-to-date and relevant thanks to close collaboration with industry partnerships and our invaluable program and institutional advisory committees. We also are at the forefront of innovation because we can quickly adapt to changing industry needs. These partnerships ensure that programs and industry certifications are aligned with the specific needs of local manufacturers, making graduates highly employable in the region.

Like many industries, manufacturing faces significant skills gaps, with a need for more skilled workers. At Great Plains Technology Center we are doing our part to narrow this gap by equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in future careers, ultimately bolstering the region’s workforce.

By focusing on local needs, inspiring students, fostering industry partnerships, and remaining at the forefront of innovation, Great Plains Technology Center is preparing students for successful careers and playing a role in the growth and sustainability of manufacturing in Southwest Oklahoma.

To learn more about Manufacturing Day, visit www.mfgday.com. For more information about Great Plains Technology Center’s career training programs, visit www.greatplains.edu.

Clarence Fortney is superintendent of Great Plains Technology Center