https://www.news-herald.com/2023/10/06/auburn-career-center-receives-5-axis-cnc-mill-through-awt/

By CHAD FELTON | [email protected] | The News-Herald

October 6, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

 

The Auburn Career Center has welcomed the arrival of a “cutting-edge” 5-axis CNC (computer numerical control) mill machine for its Advanced Manufacturing Lab, made possible through funding secured by the Alliance for Working Together Foundation.

 

Last year, AWT received $930,000 as part of the Ohio Manufacturers Association’s $23.5 million award from the Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act “Good Jobs Challenge” program.

 

Of the $930,000, $300,000 was designated for equipment, and the foundation split that amount with Auburn, making $150,000 available to the career tech school to purchase the mill.

According to officials, acquisition of the “technological advancement” marks a significant step forward in providing educational resources for the community and will allow students and community members alike to explore and learn novel computer numerical control concepts and programming skills crucial for current and future job markets in the manufacturing sector.

“We are so appreciative of the opportunity to have such a critical manufacturing training machine on our campus,” said Auburn Superintendent Brian Bontempo. “Equipment of this caliber and ability is rare in schools, and we are proud to be a part of the manufacturing training ecosystem in our region.

“The leadership AWT provides and their willingness to partner for the best interest of our region, and Ohio, are what makes this all possible,” he added. “We have plans to offer special customized classes to the manufacturing community and summer-spring classes, as well as expose all of our high school and adult students to the machine.”

Additionally, the installation of the machinery “allows students to engage with the most recent technology in computer numerical control programming and operations,” Bontempo said.

The foundation and other partnerships within the Ohio Manufacturing Association network will continue to utilize the grant to execute specific recruitment and upskilling strategies as outlined in the AWT workforce development action plan for Northeast Ohio.

 

Officials added that the initiative will significantly impact the region by enhancing the local manufacturing workforce with trained and credentialed professionals.

“With the support from the EDA Good Jobs Challenge Grant, and our collaboration with OMA, educational, and industry partners, we are excited to make this substantial contribution to workforce development in our region,” said AWT Executive Director Teresa Simons.