Reinvestment Act amended the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize a grant program to assist community colleges and other eligible higher education institutions with funds to deliver education and career training programs that can be completed in two years or less. The Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College (TAACCT) Grant program received $2 billion of funding over four years when President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act in March 2010. The programs supported by TAACCT grant monies are overseen by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education and are designed for workers eligible for training under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers program. Coursework aims to prepare participants for high-wage, high-skill occupations and meet the needs of employers for such workers. Numerous states also have enacted workforce programs and initiatives aimed to bolster the number of skilled workers in each state, sometimes with help from the federal government, other times from other funding sources. In Mississippi, for example, community colleges and universities offer a variety of training programs to keep the state’s workers competitive and up-to-date with modern technology and techniques. Its Workforce Investment Network (WIN) operates a system of more than 60 job centers throughout the state. Each center serves as a one-stop resource for both businesses and job seekers, offering training services, job placement assistance, and career counseling. The centers are funded through federal Workforce Investment Act funds, as well as funds from other federal, state, and local partners. Mississippi also has 15 community and junior colleges that administer its Workforce Enhancement Training Fund, which allows these schools to partner with companies in the state to develop a “loyal and productive workforce,” by creating custom job training programs carried out through the participating colleges. The state has other initiatives, as well, including the Mississippi Corridor Consortium (MCC) Existing Industry Training Program, run by four community colleges and focused on high-cost training that results in immediate improvements in employee skills. This training is offered at no cost to the company. Welding is included in the program offerings. And, through the Center of Manufacturing Technology Excellence operated by East Mississippi Community College, participants can learn a variety of manufacturing skills, including robotics, mechatronics, and shielded metal arc welding. Michigan is another example of a state that takes workforce development seriously, particularly in light of its strong ties to the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry. As the Michigan Workforce Development Agency (WDA) noted, as the state’s economy continues to gain momentum, companies in the state still haven’t overcome the challenge of finding “talent with the skills they need.” That’s why, in 2013, the state supported creation of the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF). The STTF is designed to create public-private partnerships with businesses to design training models that adapt in real time to changing employer demand. The program provides competitive awards for employerresponsive training that enhances talent, productivity, and employment retention, while increasing the quality and competitiveness of Michigan’s businesses. The overall goal is to ensure employers have access to the talent they need and individuals have the skills required for in-demand jobs. Training providers include Michigan community colleges, licensed proprietary schools, businesses with exclusive training and equipment that is not available elsewhere, and vendors offering operation of equipment or systems they provided. Eligible businesses that receive funding must actively participate in developing the training and also commit to hiring and/or retaining individuals at the completion of training. New jobs created also should be filled by individuals recruited through the program. Training can range from classroom sessions to on-site training at an approved location and even apprenticeships. All training must be job specific. Now in its second year, the fund will continue to assist companies in meeting talent challenges. The concept of lifelong learning and development, from initial training until retirement, reaches beyond government programs into strong educationindustry partnerships, where leading companies partner their know-how and technology with career-technical schools, community colleges, and universities. RAMTEC in central Ohio is one successful example. RAMTEC, which stands for Robotics Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative, grew out of a partnership among Tri-Rivers Career SEPTEMBER 2015 / WELDING JOURNAL 37 Welding theory and metallurgy, along with geometry and other topics, can prepare the welder of the future for advancements in welding process, equipment, and technology.
Welding Journal | September 2015
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