Advanced Manufacturing
With rising energy costs and consumer behavior shifting toward budget-conscious and eco-friendly buying habits, manufacturers are looking for ways to change their production practices to help the environment and reduce costs.
Job Corps realigned its Advanced Manufacturing programs to meet the needs of America's 21st century workplace. Students build a foundational awareness of efficient practices, while acquiring credentials developed by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills and the American Welding Society's Schools Excelling through National Skill Standards Education (SENSE) Program. These programs prepare students to apply cost-cutting and green manufacturing methods in their new careers. The reuse and recycling of materials is emphasized throughout the program, and students learn basic practices, such as lean-to-green manufacturing and clean shop practices.
Welding students are instructed in the disposal of hazardous materials according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) practices. Students also gain hands-on experience using EPA welding practice guidelines, they are able to define and practice energy efficiency in the workplace, and they have the opportunity to train on welding simulators to develop skills and safety techniques.
Machining and Manufacturing Technology students learn about reducing energy consumption, eliminating waste and avoiding spills, and promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability.
At the Albuquerque Job Corps Center, Welding students recycled steel and metal from other training projects to build a bridge over a pond.
"Construction of the bridge allowed our students to work with a combination of new and recycled metals and taught them how to assess the overall size of a project," Welding instructor Jesse Ramos said. "Students learned how to take a set amount of steel and burn it down, cut it, or add an existing piece to meet the appropriate lengths for the project without discarding excess pieces and creating unnecessary waste."
As the job market for manufacturing positions requiring green skills increases, Job Corps will produce graduates who possess industry-specific skills and credentials, and an awareness of efficient practices necessary to be a valuable employee.
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