Partnerships and collaboration are at the heart of what IALR does and how we try to accomplish our mission of driving economic transformation in Southern Virginia. One of the greatest examples of our commitment to economic growth through partnerships is the Integrated Machining Technology training program – an advanced level, seven-month training framework that answers industry-expressed needs for a highly skilled 21st century workforce.   

Funded and housed by IALR at the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining and instructed by Danville Community College, the seven-month advanced program positions graduates to fill positions of need across critical sectors. Between 2015 and 2022, approximately 120 students have completed the program across 8 cohorts, with many of them receiving scholarships.  

  • Eight of these students currently support or teach advanced manufacturing programs in Southern Virginia and beyond.  
  • Many of those students are now serving as technical leads, application engineers or programmers in Southern Virginia.  

The program has spurred regional economic development by helping to attract leading advanced manufacturers to the region. For example, both Kyocera SGS Tech Hub and FasTech are two that have hired a number of IMT graduates who bring not only advanced technical skills but also honed leadership abilities. In the Cyber Park alone there are 13 IMT graduates who are employed by either DCC, IALR, Kyocera or FasTech.  

This program combines a true-to-life flow cell environment, industry-backed curriculum, key partners and top-of-the-line resources, helping completers to earn industry-recognized credentials. Those who have completed a two-year precision machining program (such as the program offered by Danville Community College) or have equivalent work experience can enter this advanced program to train in a full-scale manufacturing workflow cell to support a realistic, fully integrated learning experience. With focus in key areas like Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machining, Advanced Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) operations, the program provides hands-on experience in a simulated industry environment.  

We frequently rotate the latest equipment into the facility, ensuring that graduates are exposed to the latest industry trends and experience what a true flow cell will look like. Noted by two governors and countless other localities as an outstanding model, the Integrated Machining Technology program is a benchmark model for precision machining workforce development. 

Advanced Machining Training