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Ninth IMT Cohort Graduates

Ninth IMT Cohort Graduates

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and Danville Community College (DCC) are proud to announce the graduation of the ninth cohort of the Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) program. A collaborative effort between DCC and IALR, this program is available to students who have completed a two-year precision machining program or who have equivalent work experience and want to further their skills and leadership potential.

These nine students completed the seven-month program at the end of March. 

“The DCC Career & Technical Education division congratulates the 2024 IMT program graduates, We are proud of their hard work and are excited for their journey into the field of Integrated Machining. These students have exhibited the necessary skills and preparedness to illustrate they have what it takes to excel in the industry. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the IALR for their contributions to the program. Our continued partnership allows DCC and the IALR to create unique educational opportunities, like IMT, in our community and region.” – Melissa Mann, Dean of Career & Technical Education at Danville Community College

“We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our ninth cohort of IMT graduates. These students have worked hard to develop the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the manufacturing industry, and we are confident that they will make valuable contributions to the workforce. I am grateful for the unique partnership between IALR and DCC that has allowed us to collectively drive economic growth and create opportunity.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

The IMT program provides students with comprehensive instruction in machining technology, preparing them for careers in industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical equipment manufacturing. Through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment, students gain practical skills in blueprint reading, CNC programming, precision measurement and more.

The classes are set in a flow cell environment with hands-on training that matches industry’s needs, providing students with a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in a real-world setting. The program emphasizes soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, ensuring that graduates are well-rounded and prepared to excel in today’s competitive workforce.

As the ninth cohort completes their training, they join the ranks of previous graduates who have gone on to secure rewarding careers in machining and manufacturing. Many graduates have found employment at leading companies like EXAMPLES in the region, contributing to the growth and success of the local economy.

Two of the graduates in this cohort have joined the team at IALR. Austyn Roten joined the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program as a Precision Manufacturing Technician while Holly Lyle now works as a Metrology Technician for ATDM.

“I learned a lot going through IMT. The instructor pushed us to learn more about what we weren’t confident in and encouraged us in what we excelled at. I originally wasn’t planning on doing IMT after I graduated from DCC, but I am very glad I did.” – Holly Lyle, ATDM Metrology Technician, IMT Graduate

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation through applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. Learn more.

About DCC

Danville Community College is a two-year institution of higher education under the state-wide Virginia Community College System. DCC’s service area includes the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Halifax County. For more information about the College’s programs of study, visit www.danville.edu.

Tour of IALR – Manufacturing Advancement

Tour of IALR – Manufacturing Advancement

Join us for a free guided group tour of the manufacturing workforce development programs and industry solutions on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Discover our impact and explore our innovative training facilities and cutting-edge optimization and support services. Our Manufacturing Advancement division focuses on meeting and exceeding the optimization and workforce needs of new and existing industry.

This one-hour tour will include a brief overview of IALR before a deep dive into the focus areas of our Manufacturing Advancement division. Participants will see:

  • The Center for Manufacturing Advancement, which allows advanced manufacturing companies to collaborate and enhance processes, improve quality, and more.
  • Several labs from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, which quickly trains qualified candidates in essential manufacturing skills and trades that will help the United States Navy build submarines.
  • The Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM), a new, six-week program that provides active-duty Navy sailors and marines with foundational skills in additive manufacturing
  • The Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining, which houses both CNC Teacher Training for high school and community college instructors and the Integrated Machining Technology program – a third-year program that takes advanced machining skills training and knowledge to the next level.

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IALR Employee Elected to National Haas Technical Education Community Council (HTEC)

IALR Employee Elected to National Haas Technical Education Community Council (HTEC)

IALR employee Amanda Hylton was recently elected to the National Haas Technical Educators Community Council, which promotes and advances manufacturing productivity through excellence in manufacturing education. Focusing on grant development, Hylton will support the solicitation and selection of workshops and sessions for conferences that will help educators understand the funding opportunities to further their programs.

Hylton is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives within IALR’s Manufacturing Advancement division.

“With the rapidly changing landscape of manufacturing, the constraints of tight budgets make it difficult for educators to integrate new and emerging technologies into training. I have a strong desire to help and support educators in learning how to ‘dream big’ and find ways to strengthen partnerships that help make those dreams a reality. I hope that by being elected to serve this year, I can find ways to share my passion for helping others learn how to be successful in securing support and funding for their programs.” – Amanda Hylton, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, IALR

HTEC hosts an annual national conference, as well as numerous regional conferences throughout the country. Hylton was a part of the planning team that hosted the Annual Conference in Danville in 2018, and presented a session on finding, writing and winning grants during that conference.

IALR shares a rich history of collaboration with HTEC. IALR’s Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining is one of four Gene Haas Foundation Teacher Training program sites in the country. Through a partnership with HTEC and Danville Community College, the center trains high school and community college instructors for the growing field of precision machining and provides certification opportunities for instructors, veterans, incumbent workers and adult learners. The Center also houses the Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) program, which helps those who have completed a two-year precision machining program take their advanced machining skills and knowledge to the next level.

Angela Rigney, Director of Career & Technical Education with Pittsylvania County Schools, was also elected to the council this year, focusing on middle school manufacturing education.

 

KYOCERA ‘Signs’ Integrated Machining Interns as New Employees

KYOCERA ‘Signs’ Integrated Machining Interns as New Employees

Manufacturer of high-performance cutting tools leverages Danville-Pittsylvania advanced manufacturing pipeline for high-quality workforce needs

DANVILLE, Virginia – (April 7, 2022) – KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub has hired three student interns who recently graduated from the Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) third-year capstone program, instructed by Danville Community College (DCC) and housed and financed by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

Students Jonathan Gauldin, Bobby Moran and Joel Oakes celebrated the occasion with KYOCERA by participating in a signing ceremony at the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining where they received their training. Gauldin, Moran and Oakes will start on April 11 as Setup A technicians, one of KYOCERA’s highest-level grinding positions. They will join Josh Owen, another IMT graduate, who started at KYOCERA as a Setup C technician on April 4.

“To thrive in a highly competitive global market, there needs to be a system in place that creates a workforce for our future,” said Jason Wells, president of KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub. “The unparalleled training and education that Danville Community College and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research have established, allow companies such as KYOCERA to focus on our core business and growth with less focus on skill development. Our elected officials, community leaders, educators and local citizens have put in the hard work to address skilled workforce development needs.”

Kyocera signs interns as employees

L-R, front row: Joel Oakes, Bobby Moran and Jonathan Gauldin; back row: David Gauldin and Jason Wells (KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub), Troy Simpson (IALR), Josh McDowell and Joe Distad (Danville Community College), and Dylan Hardy (IALR)

The IMT program serves as an optional third year of advanced training for completers of two-year precision machining programs or for those with equivalent work experience. The hands-on instruction by DCC takes seven months and is set in a flow cell environment to build true-to-life advanced manufacturing experience and leadership skills. A 90-hour internship fulfills requirements for an associate degree.

“DCC, in partnership with the IALR, is proud to be a leader in the creation of talent for Pittsylvania County and the surrounding region,” said Dr. Muriel Mickles, interim president at DCC. “The IMT capstone program is an excellent example of many ways DCC is supporting the growth of the manufacturing industry here in Danville while ensuring exciting, high-paying jobs for our students.”

The success of the IMT program has grown since its inception in 2015. Noted by Virginia and Arkansas governors and other localities as a benchmark model, the program also helped seal the win of the location bid for the 2018 Haas Technical Education Center Americas CNC Educators Conference. A team of students won last year’s Project MFG National Skilled Trade Championship, and others have won medals at the SkillsUSA Championships.

“The Integrated Machining Technology program is a key aspect of the progressive talent pipeline the Danville-Pittsylvania County region has championed to attract and retain high-performance jobs and industry like KYOCERA,” said Troy Simpson, director of advanced manufacturing for IALR. “We continue to work with KYOCERA and other companies to ensure the curriculum of DCC and the facilities housed and financed by IALR are state of the art and industry-driven.”

Gauldin, Moran and Oakes will bring the following industry-recognized credentials to their new positions at KYOCERA: MCOSMOS C1 and C2, a cutting technology certificate and the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Other employers who have benefited from these credentialed IMT graduates in the past include FasTech, Piedmont Precision Machine, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, BWX Technologies and others.

“I am extremely proud of all our Integrated Machining Technology graduates and congratulate Jonathan, Bobby, Joel and Josh on their new journey with such an impactful industry as KYOCERA,” said Dr. Betty Jo Foster, interim president at IALR. “I hope their path to successful employment is an example and inspiration to other youth in our area who seek high-quality jobs and meaningful careers. The partnership between DCC, IALR and industry like KYOCERA offers hands-on instruction that leads to job opportunities for our community and workforce solutions for advanced manufacturers.”

KYOCERA has actively supported the region’s talent development efforts. Wells serves in multiple board positions, including the advisory boards for both Danville Community College’s workforce services programs and the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC™) program, a GO Virginia-supported program administered by IALR that educates and trains middle schoolers to post-secondary students on relevant career pathways.

In September 2016, KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub announced it would invest $9.5 million and bring 35 new jobs paying an average annual salary of $65,000 to the Cyber Park, a technology park jointly owned by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County through the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority (RIFA).

The company broke ground in the spring of 2017 on the 30,000-square-foot manufacturing and research hub, which was designed and constructed by Blair Construction and sits on 10 acres directly across from the campus of IALR. The grand opening was celebrated in September 2019.

For additional photos of the KYOCERA signing ceremony for the three interns/new recruits, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzJLCB.