MUSCLE SHOALS – Our corner of Alabama is changing dramatically. Thanks to a great effort by business leaders, educators, private citizens and some very large corporate investors, The Shoals is undergoing a transformation to an industrial area. The big companies that have been locating here are, in a large part the paragon of a wave of new industrial technologies. And those technologically-oriented companies need a trained workforce. In less than a year, Northwest Shoals has put together a new curriculum based on high-tech injection molding. Thursday’s ribbon cutting was a big day indeed. Here is the text of the media release from Northwest Shoals Community College: ย “Background and Program Origination: Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) began working toward training students for approx. 400 injection molding positions in Northwest Alabama in fall 2013. NW-SCC had several meetings with local industry partners on their current and future employment needs. The program was put together based on their feedback. Injection Molding Technology is within the program of Industrial Systems Technology and was approved by the Alabama State Board of Education and Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). Classes were offered for the first time during the 2013 fall semester. Degree and Certificates Offered: NW-SCC currently offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree with an Injection Molding Technology option and a short term certificate. The program will provide hands-on training and prepare students with basic knowledge and skills in Injection mold setting, processing, 3D modeling, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Robotic Programming, Programmable Logic Controllers, etc. The Injection Molding Technology certificate includes:
- 26 credit hours of course work which can be finished in three semesters (including co-op requirements).
The Injection Molding Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree includes: โข 76 credit hours which can be finished in two years (including co-op requirements). Student Population: The program currently has 12 (6 began spring 2014 & 6 began fall 2014) students enrolled.
- Four (4) current students are employed by Tri Cities Manufacturing
- Three (3) current students are employed by Tasus Corp.
Partnership with Injection Molding Technology Industry: NW-SCC began working toward training students for approx. 400 injection molding positions needed in the next 24-36 months in Northwest Alabama last fall. The Injection Molding Technology program will provide existing, new and prospective industry with trained students who have a strong desire to work in the Plastic Injection Molding field. Industry partners worked with supplier Pro Plastics Inc. to provide College with 110 ton Nissei Injection Molding Machine valued at approximately $125,000. Industry partners include:
- North American Lighting, Inc.
- Tasus Corporation – donated fittings and hoses for all auxiliary injection molding equipment and allowed NW-SCC Injection Molding Instructor Greg Springer to work in all areas of the Florence plant to gain valuable hands-on training.
- Tri-Cities Manufacturing – donated plastic material and molds for the program.
- CBC America
$285,400 Workforce Development Grant for Injection Molding Partnership
- Received grant fall of 2013; expires September 2014
Purchased approx. $230,400 (equipment) and $55,000 (HVAC) “
The Quad-Cities Daily was on hand to record the event that included a Shoals Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. We present the EVENT PHOTOS here. Make yourself a print if you wish, but please, no commercial uses. Please feel free to caption these photos…
Photos by Sheri Wiggins
