The Skills Gap and the Importance of Workforce Development
Channel: Multi-State Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (M-SAMC)
Date: 2015-09-03

Dr. Tony Newberry, former President of Jefferson Community & Technical College, talks about ramping up workforce development to help close the skills gap.

Jefferson Community & Technical College is part of the Multi-State Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (M-SAMC). Funded through a Department of Labor $15M grant, M-SAMC is aligning manufacturing education programs with the skills industry needs. Partner schools are transitioning to flexible, hands-on, competency-based learning environments. Students are now learning in labs that simulate plant floors; and they are challenged with problem- and project-based assessments, allowing them to demonstrate what they've learned. The implementation of M-SAMC products and improved processes, along with industry partnerships is positively impacting the knowledge and skills of tomorrow's manufacturing workers.