College Celebrates National Manufacturing Day
Delaware Tech celebrated National Manufacturing Day on October 4 by sponsoring workshops on campus and tours of local manufacturing businesses for students studying engineering technology, electromechanical, construction management, biomedical and computer information systems at the College.
The purpose of National Manufacturing Day is to create awareness of today’s modern manufacturing industry and highlight the high-tech, efficient environment. Careers in manufacturing require skilled employees who work on state-of-the-art equipment. Gone are the days of dim, hazardous factories with low-skilled workers – today’s manufacturing industry requires highly-trained employees with knowledge of automation, 3-D printing, robots and screen technologies. Highly-skilled employees are in demand in high-paying manufacturing jobs locally and nationally.
“Modern manufacturing requires new skills such as the ability to manage many processes at once and perform statistical analysis. Technicians can no longer depend on a single skill set,” stated Dr. Orlando J. George, Jr., President of Delaware Technical Community College. “Mathematics, computer, electrical, and mechanical skills overlap and technicians are expected to troubleshoot, problem-solve and make recommendations.”
The students participated in a three-hour “Lean Manufacturing” workshop led by Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP) field agents. Lean Manufacturing refers to processes that eliminate waste, provide value for the customer and increase a company’s competitiveness.
Students also toured local modern manufacturing facilities including PPG Industries Inc. and Beracah Homes, Inc. Participants received a certificate of attendance upon completion of the workshop.
A broad coalition of partners including Delaware Technical Community College, Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP), the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provided support for National Manufacturing Day.
Photo caption: Bob Boyles of PPG Industries, Inc. provides Delaware Tech students a tour of the manufacturing facility.