Clark State College will receive $3,195,374.00 as part of a $13 million initiative by ARCTOS Technology Solutions to implement Smart Manufacturing technologies and training for Ohio colleges and local businesses.
ARCTOS, a global aerospace and defense was awarded a $13 million Task Order by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to introduce Smart Manufacturing technologies to the curriculum at three Ohio Community Colleges, a congressional initiative to grow manufacturing innovation in the region.
“Clark State has been at the forefront of manufacturing training and education, and this grant presents a unique opportunity for collaboration and workforce development in the state of Ohio,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State.
The Regional Fabrication & Certification Training Labs program leverages well-established government, industry and academia collaborations and seeks to provide training courses in disruptive technologies including robotics, photonics and trusted systems introducing product lifecycle management skills to college students, as well as members of the manufacturing workforce seeking continued education and certification in these emerging areas.
With the funds received from ARCTOS, Clark State will develop:
- Laser Materials Processing / Photonics Education: Clark State will focus on establishing Laser Materials Processing / Photonics educational capabilities to train more technicians at the community college level. The work will incorporate teacher education, post-secondary dual enrollment, and postdoctoral researcher opportunities. A project is being developed in conjunction with local employers and other key partners, including ARCTOS.
- Early Engagement I4.0 Pathways: The project will develop a shared campus training model between Clark State, high schools and technical centers. It will include the development and implementation of a minimal-equipment needs introduction course that can be implemented at any school. It will also include the development and piloting of a shared campus model where regional students will travel to Clark State to take advantage of advanced technology labs and training in college-level courses.
- Postdoctoral Position in Advanced Manufacturing: Clark State will work in conjunction with the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE), Wright State University, and the Dayton Regional STEM School (DRSS), as well as local industry and the Air Force Research Laboratory, to create a position for and utilize the knowledge of a postdoctoral researcher, who will have the unique opportunity to develop curriculum for and teach Laser Materials Processing at DRSS and the community college levels.
- Additional Key Personnel: Additional personnel to be hired include a full-time Project Director, who will oversee the project; a part-time Workforce Adjunct, who will teach Laser Materials Processing; and a full-time High School Liaison, who will work with area high schools to coordinate the College Credit Plus program.
“It is critical to train and prepare the workforce for the future of the manufacturing industry, which is highly focused on automation and related smart technologies,” said Joe Sciabica, ARCTOS Chief Technology Officer. “With our phased strategy and industry resources, we are thrilled to partner with Ohio (colleges) to significantly reduce the barriers to adopt the latest manufacturing equipment and skills training for the local workforce and establish the region as a leader in Industry 4.0 technologies across the manufacturing supply chain.”
ARCTOS will support the development of hands-on training, tasking students and workers to solve real-world digital manufacturing problems provided by industry using state-of-the-art precision digital manufacturing equipment. Additionally, the program will introduce the range of career opportunities available to participants in working with disruptive technologies for additive manufacturing, photonics, trusted systems, autonomy, robotics, and big data analytics.
“We are so honored to have been asked to partner in this work to train individuals within the state of Ohio on smart technologies related to photonics,” said Dr. Tiffany Hunter, Provost and vice president of academic affairs for Clark State. “We look forward to beginning the work to prepare students and workers to fill a vitally important workforce need.”