leading collaborative Innovation

Leading collaborative innovation stems from an innate drive to remain globally competitive. Our Manufacturing Advancement division focuses on meeting and exceeding the optimization and workforce needs of new and existing industry to help them do just that. From its revolutionary home facility, the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining on IALR’s campus, the division employs the latest technology and strong partnerships to generate a highly skilled workforce. Plus, it offers extensive resources and services, which includes the Center for Manufacturing Advancement, a collaborative space for technology companies and manufacturers to optimize processes, integrate emerging technologies and discover next-generation capabilities.

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Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Advancement

Todd Yeatts

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Office: 434.766.6685
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Meet The Team

Industry Solutions

The advent of Industry 4.0 has created a new level of competitiveness as workforce challenges and optimization opportunities continue to grow. As technology progresses, so does the need to leverage innovative Lean Manufacturing principles and to recruit the skilled talent necessary for operational excellence. IALR’s Manufacturing Advancement division understands these needs and offers the latest technology, expert instructors and a nationally renowned training program to generate a work-ready talent pipeline. The division is also working to provide future collaborative space for manufacturers to optimize processes and stay on the cutting edge.

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Building the Pipeline

IALR’s Manufacturing Advancement division has developed an award-winning, nationally renowned workforce development program for advanced precision machining. Thanks to solid partnerships, cutting-edge equipment, an innovative experiential program and a pipeline starting as early as middle school, the program boasts a 99 percent pass rate, and its reach continues to grow. Graduates earn industry-recognized credentials and are placed with leading companies like Rolls Royce, BWX Technologies and Kyocera SGS Tech Hub.

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Training Programs

In cooperation with strong partners, IALR offers top-rate advanced manufacturing training for both students and teachers. Students looking to enter a growing occupation field abundant with competitive wages and opportunities will benefit from an elite program incorporating workplace experiential learning in an educational setting. Precision machining high school and community college instructors can take their knowledge to the next level with HTEC educator training and certification. IALR’s Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining provides both and is one of only five nationwide to provide the latter.

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Center for Manufacturing Advancement

The Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) offers a platform for leading-edge business success specifically targeted at manufacturing companies establishing or expanding their presence in Southern Virginia. The $25.5 million CMA allows advanced manufacturing companies to collaborate and enhance processes, improve quality, integrate emerging technology and discover next-generation capabilities.

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Success Stories

"The Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining is a progressive precision machining training model that answers industry expressed needs for a highly skilled 21st century workforce. The program is currently supported with over $1 Million in commitments from leading global technology companies and builds on existing Commonwealth and local investments…"
Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM)
A consortium among partners such as the U.S. Department of Defense, IALR, Danville Community College, Phillips Corporation and The SPECTRUM Group, ATDM is a prototype for rapidly developing skilled workers to enter the defense industrial base.
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"The Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining is a progressive precision machining training model that answers industry expressed needs for a highly skilled 21st century workforce. The program is currently supported with over $1 Million in commitments from leading global technology companies and builds on existing Commonwealth and local investments…"
Advanced Machining Training 
A collaborative, industry-driven model, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Danville Community College offer a seven-month, advanced-level Integrated Machining Technology training program. Thanks to qualified instructors and state-of-the art technology and training sites, this program has enabled 120 students to take their advanced machining skills training and knowledge to the next level since 2015.
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"The Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining is a progressive precision machining training model that answers industry expressed needs for a highly skilled 21st century workforce. The program is currently supported with over $1 Million in commitments from leading global technology companies and builds on existing Commonwealth and local investments…"
IMT Graduates Find Success
IMT graduates find success in advanced manufacturing. Leading employer Harlow hired their first Danville employees from the renowned training program.
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"The Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining is a progressive precision machining training model that answers industry expressed needs for a highly skilled 21st century workforce. The program is currently supported with over $1 Million in commitments from leading global technology companies and builds on existing Commonwealth and local investments…"
Why Workforce Development Matters
Danville Community College (DCC) and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) embarked on a workforce development project commonly referred to as Capstone in the community. Capstone or the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining is a third year advanced machining program for students looking to build upon skills learned during their first two years at DCC.
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What’s the next step on your path to innovation?