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October 27, 2005

Calhoun to Host Meeting
With Area Manufacturing CEOs

Calhoun Community College will host a meeting of area manufacturing industry chief executive officers, plant managers and site managers on Monday, November 7, 2005 , from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the college's Aerospace Training Center on the Decatur campus. The purpose of the meeting will be to update manufacturers on the college's new Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) and its programs to train industrial technicians and machinists. CMI is being funded through a recently awarded $3.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The November 7 th meeting will take steps toward the formation of a Manufacturers Advisory Council which will play an active role in the development of the program's curricula and other related elements.

Presenters for the meeting will include Dr. Roy Johnson, chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education; Dr. Marilyn Beck, Calhoun president; Dr. Mary Yarbrough, dean of Calhoun's Division of Workforce Education, and Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, state school board member. "The bottom line for this meeting is to ensure that the vision and mission of the CMI and the training programs offered through the Center are responsive to the needs of the employers within our service area," said Dr. Beck.

The CMI will provide training in advanced manufacturing processes through modularized curriculum structures and flexible delivery options such as web-based, industry based, open labs, self-directed, apprenticeships and internships allowing students multiple entry and exit points in the program. Based on data provided by local and state sources, the initial phase of CMI will focus on training in Industrial Maintenance and Machine Tool Technology.

As the lead institution, Calhoun is partnering with local industry and economic development groups, chambers of commerce, the Alabama Department of Community and Economic Affairs, Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), Alabama Technology Networks (ATNs), Focused Industry Training (FIT), the ACT Assessment Center, Workforce Investment (WIA), the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, the Alabama Manufacturing Association, Drake State Technical College , Snead State Community College , and Northeast Community College in the development of the CMI.

"This Center for Manufacturing Innovation will transform technical education within the state's community college system through short-term, intensive, industry-focused skills training and will provide the opportunity for workers in this state to gain employability skills to enter or re-enter the workforce quickly," said Dr. Johnson.

According to Yarbrough, over 200 area CEOs have been invited to participate in the meeting.

Coverage of this release:

• Calhoun to Host meeting with Area Manufacturing CEO's, Speakin' Out News, Wednesday, November 2, 2005 issue, p. A2

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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