In light of today’s ever-changing technological landscape, Ben Nguyen, director of the new Center for Talent and Workforce Development at Schreiner University, hosted a Mechatronics Industry Connect event for local industry leaders, employers, and educators.
The presentation highlighted the university’s growing interest in the innovative technology industries as well as addressing workforce demands in regards to manufacturing.
The Center for Talent and Workforce Development is dedicated to providing certification programs, continuing education opportunities, and workshops for working adults in the Hill Country. The center strives to strengthen the local economy and workforce through community-focused education.
To prepare individuals interested in a career in manufacturing, training in the engineering, maintenance, and operation of industrial robotics is crucial.
“When talking about advanced manufacturing, there’s no question that this is an interesting time to be in this industry, specifically in this community. Texas is facing human labor shortages in almost every sector. We have more jobs than people available and qualified to fill them, ”said Nguyen.
Recognizing the vast depth of business opportunity in Kerrville, the Center for Talent and Workforce Development hopes to be a stepping stone for those looking to advance their careers.
“Filling the workforce gap is a significant challenge. We offer training programs that are solely focused on the in-demand skills and knowledge within the workforce. The programs are designed to be fast, focused, and practical. Most can be finished in a year so a student can enter the workforce as soon as possible,” said Nguyen.
To demonstrate what sort of training could be utilized in the growing manufacturing industries, Schreiner teamed up with Advanced Technology Consultants (ATC), a company that distributes technical training equipment and curriculum to schools and universities. The event welcomed Advanced Technology Consultants representative Jath Candy to explain the goals of the new partnership.
“There are new and growing companies, and with that comes a need for technicians. I got an estimate of over 100,000 manufacturing positions needed over the next decade from the Austin Regional Manufacturing Association. Schreiner, like a few other schools, has taken the step of navigating a response to this demand through developing a mechatronics training program,” said Candy.
Advanced Technology Consultants distributes mechatronics equipment and curriculum to K-12 school districts to introduce students to skills that are immediately applicable in the workforce. KISD representatives in attendance expressed interest in vocational opportunities for their students, specifically Tivy’s robotics team coach, Jimmy McCrae.
“A lot of my kids code using JavaScript and design 3D prints from scratch. I think for a lot of them, it is difficult to know how to translate the skills they have developed into their future. A lot of them aren’t necessarily interested in a four-year university, so a program like this would be a cool way to build awareness about the potential internships or job opportunities out there,” said McCrae.
The event closed with a demonstration of various collaborative robots and training modules offered by Advanced Technology Consultants as well as a networking reception for interested industry leads and educators.
For more information about Schreiner’s Mechatronics program and other offerings from the Center for Talent and Workforce Development, visit their website at https://schreiner.edu/ctwd.