SMART students learn to program, operate, troubleshoot and repair robots. Photo by Brock Burwell.
Participant in MAMC’ s Introduction to CNC Machining camps assembles air-piston engine from parts he manufactured on computer-controlled equipment. Photo by Mike Friel.
Brandon Dennison. Photo by Marshall University.
Dennison is glad to bring lessons learned at Coalfield Development into his work at Marshall.
“ I still serve as the executive president of Coalfield Development’ s board, which enables me to help shape its strategy and vision,” he says.“ Both organizations share the goal of increasing workforce participation in our state. They are willing to do whatever it takes to serve learners of all kinds and help unlock their full potential.”
MAMC is just one example of the incredible work happening every day at Marshall as it embraces its role as an economic engine for the region.
“ When President Smith started, we had an economic return on investment of 1:12 back to the State of West Virginia, meaning for every $ 1 the state invested in us, we generated an additional $ 12 in economic activity,” Dennison says.“ Today, this figure is 1:18, meaning we now generate $ 18 in economic activity for every $ 1 the state invests in us. This all adds up to more than $ 1.1 billion in economic activity annually.”
Hardly a day passes that Director of MAMC Derek Scarbro and his team don’ t field calls from West Virginia manufacturers seeking to hire MAMC students.
“ The drumbeat is constant,” Scarbro says.“ There’ s a demand for machinists, welders, industrial maintenance technicians and related positions, and companies know we deliver an industryfocused education.”
In fact, the need for skilled workers is so great that more than 95 % of MAMC’ s career-skills students find jobs in their chosen fields, many before they graduate.
Derek Scarbro. Photo by E. A. Photography.
To better understand the scope of that need, MAMC commissioned the Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research( CBER) to conduct a statewide survey of manufacturing workforce needs.
West Virginia manufacturers anticipate the need for 2,700 full-time workers over the next 12 months and nearly 7,000 over the next three years. Employers expect to hire across a range of manufacturing occupations, including 2,721 production positions and operators, 779 laborers and logistics experts, 496 welders, 541 machinists, 696 maintenance technicians and 595 workers in quality assurance and testing.
“ Manufacturers nationwide report 380,000 job openings, and West Virginia is facing the same challenge,” says Bill Bissett, president of West Virginia Manufacturers Association.“ It is imperative we attract more people of all ages to our workforce. The good-paying jobs available here provide an opportunity for more people to pursue rewarding careers in the Mountain State.”
Dennison says the university is working in tandem with industries to meet current workforce needs and ensure the skilled laborers of tomorrow.
“ This demand for employment from plants and factories across our region is one of the many reasons Marshall has identified advanced manufacturing as a primary pillar of excellence,” he says.“ Through job training, business support and applied research, we are building the manufacturing sector of the future.”
When it comes to manufacturing, MAMC spearheads the university’ s workforce efforts. Deploying what Scarbro describes as a 360-approach, MAMC assesses industry employment needs, develops training solutions to meet those needs, recruits students into high-demand fields and delivers industry-focused career-skills training solutions that lead to good-paying jobs.
In addition to formal surveys, MAMC’ s outreach team visits businesses throughout the state, meeting directly with employees on factory floors to better understand workforce challenges and provide solutions. The center also engages with representatives from more than 360 companies each year that use advanced technology at its Huntington and South Charleston facilities.
MAMC’ s nationally recognized career-skills programs are guided by a workforce advisory board comprised of manufacturing professionals.
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