Today’s manufacturing industries need highly skilled workers. Area residents can learn
how to develop those skills to increase their employability at Missouri State University-West
Plains’ (MSU-WP) Technology Showcase.
Those attending can tour the facility and see the state-of-the-art equipment used
to train students and view demonstrations of the pieces in action, organizers said.
Visitors also can speak with instructors, meet with area employers, and find out how
the skills embedded in MSU-WP’s technology programs offered at the GOCAT are needed
by area industries, many of which are currently hiring.
“The MSU-WP training programs at the GOCAT facility have been developed hand-in-hand
with local manufacturers,” said MSU-WP Interim Chancellor Dennis Lancaster. “Our primary
goal in developing the programs has been to benefit both students and our area industries.
“And, with some of our manufacturers needing new workers with these skill sets now
and some who may need their current workers to increase their skills in specific areas,
this is an ideal opportunity to learn how to be ready to meet these challenging demands
on the plant floor,” he added.
Programs provide hands-on training
Sheila Barton, director of workforce development programs for MSU-WP, said the university’s
technology programs provide hands-on technical training needed within the manufacturing
industry.
“As a National Coalition of Certification Center (NC3), each program includes certifications
in electricity, hydraulics/pneumatics, mechanical systems, PLCs and robotics,” she
explained. “And, as a Lincoln Electric Educational Program (LEEPS) partner, we are
very proud to offer a new program this fall in advanced welding and fabrication.”
Students, she said, will earn certifications in FCAW, SMAW, GMAW and GTAW welding
types, thermal cutting, blue print reading, safety. American Welding Society (AWS)
certifications also will be offered, she added.
“Our programs over the past several years have been successful, and we are continuing
to upgrade and provide what our industry partners ask,” Barton said. “Today’s industrial
environment is increasingly dependent on technology-focused and technology-enabled
manufacturing. To put it simply, this isn’t the assembly line work of the past; this
is cutting edge stuff, and it’s exciting stuff, too!”
Enrollment, financial aid information also offered
Attendees can learn how to enroll in the programs and apply for various financial
aid packages from MSU-WP representatives who will be on hand at the event. Completion
of any of MSU-WP’s technology programs, Barton said, can put students on a career
pathway to success.
“Every individual’s goals and needs are different. While you may not be eligible for
financial assistance from one source, you might be eligible from another one. And,
while you might not be interested in ‘Career Path A,’ you might find ‘Career Path
Z’ is a great option, and you can start down that path at MSU-WP,” Barton said.
Refreshments will be served at the showcase, she added.
For more information about MSU-WP and the programs available at the GOCAT, visit GOCAT.WP.MissouriState.edu or contact the admissions office at 417-255-7955, toll free at 888-466-7897 or email
WPAdmissions@MissouriState.edu.
Equipment purchased for advanced welding, fabrication technology program
Funds for the equipment came from a Delta Regional Authority grant.
Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) have purchased multiple
pieces of equipment integral to the university’s new advanced welding and fabrication
technology program.
Nine major pieces were purchased with the funds from a Delta Regional Authority rural
workforce grant awarded in October 2020. Grant funds also were used to buy smaller
pieces of equipment for further development of the new welding and fabrication lab.
According to Chuck Cook, welding and fabrication instructor, the pieces are state-of-the-art
and will prepare students for real-life work environments.
Equipment specifics
Items purchased include:
Lincoln Electric Welder: Multi-process Power Wave 300C Advanced Education One-Pak welder
A welding unit for classroom training
Lincoln Electric Extractor Fume: Statiflex 200-M with Merv 14 Filter Dual Arm Welding
These units are part of a welding package and attach to welding units to extract fumes
from the building
Cyclone 4826 Top Opening Sandblast Cabinet with dust extractor
This machine forcibly propels a stream of abrasive material against a surface under
high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface,
or remove surface contaminants
A pressurized fluid, typically compressed air, or a centrifugal wheel is used to propel
the blasting material
Piranha Iron Worker and Baileigh Hydraulic Metal Shear
These machines will shear metal for tooling and fabrication.
GMC 45 Ton CNC Hydraulic Press Brake
This machine is used for forming and cutting metal for fabrication
Track Torch
This torch is for cutting and welding high quality cuts
It works on a track and cuts metal as it travels based on programming
50 Ton Dual Speed Hydraulic Shop Press
This press is used for fabricating pieces
Lincoln Plasma Table, 4×10
This is used for design and fabrication cutting of sheet metal
Input from valuable partners
“Our local employers have been valuable partners during the purchasing process and
recommended equipment that will be used in the manufacturing setting,” said Director
of Workforce Development Sheila Barton.
“Their input is important because the program will provide the hands-on training experience
needed to meet a critical workforce shortage in the manufacturing industry in south-central
Missouri,” she added.
The advanced welding and fabrication program will debut in the 2021 fall semester
and will temporarily be housed at the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT). The welding lab will find a permanent home on campus at Broadway Hall, the one-time
home of West Plains’ Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plant, once renovations are completed.
For more information about the advanced welding and fabrication technology program
or to enroll, contact Barton at 417-255-7784 or sheilabarton@missouristate.edu.
Missouri State University-West Plains
Office of Workforce Development
Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology
Welcome to the Summer Edition of GOCAT News
It is hard to believe the school year has ended and we are into June and the upcoming
summer season. Summer classes begin next week and with all of the activity here at
the GOCAT facility, the summer is going to fly by.
We are pleased to welcome Chuck Cook as our newest team member at GOCAT. Chuck is
our new welding instructor and comes to us with over 30 years of industry experience
and a great addition to the team and we look forward to you meeting him soon.
Grants update
The Delta Regional Authority, Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC)2020
awarded MSU-WP a $960,000 workforce grant for the development of an advanced welding
and fabrication program. We have been working non-stop since February to get the temporary
weld lab at the GOCAT facility completed to begin classes this Fall. We are nearly
done and looking forward to showing all of you soon. Watch our Facebook page for updates.
Program (SEDAP) grant, that along with other state appropriations and private monies
will be used for renovation of the Broadway building on campus that will house our
new welding and fabrication lab. This will be a great addition to the campus and will
give us the much-needed space to expand our technical programs.
Finally, in collaboration with the South Central Workforce Investment Board, a grant
application has been submitted for the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional
Occupations (WANTO) grant to help expand career pathways for women to enter and lead
in manufacturing industries. Notification will be by Sept. 30.
Save the date for our next industry partner meeting, scheduled for July 20, 2021 beginning
at 10:30 am. Join us for lunch and tour our new welding lab. Dr. Mardy Leathers, Executive
Director of the Missouri Workforce Development Board will be our guest speaker. More
information soon.
MSU-WP putting pieces in place for new advanced fabrication/welding technology program
The program is expected to debut in the 2021 fall semester.
Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are moving quickly to
create the advanced fabrication and welding technology program for the 2021 fall semester.
This includes hiring new personnel, upgrading manufacturing and maintenance programs
and finding a location for the welding lab.
“We believe these changes will help us diversify and develop more industry and skills-based
training opportunities,” said Director of Workforce Development Sheila Barton. “It
will also be a resource for our employers who need additional assistance for training
both new and incumbent employees.”
ROY CROUCH, education and employment outreach specialist at Missouri State University-West
Plains (MSU-WP), demonstrates the VRTEX 360 virtual reality (VR) welding training
simulator. This new piece of equipment will give students the ability to practice
various welding methods in a realistic setting as displayed in the VR goggles he is
wearing. Students can simulate specific welds, techniques and processes while the
system tracks their progress, helping them learn when to adjust their techniques and
be more prepared when they use actual welders. (MSU-WP Photo)
Upcoming changes
Garland Barton has been hired as the fund research and employer engagement manager.
Garland Barton has worked with MSU-WP since the inception of the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT) facility. He served as chair of the South Central Workforce Investment Board for
more than 20 years, and is currently serving as a member of the Missouri Workforce
Development Board.
As the employer engagement manager, Garland Barton will report to Interim Dean of
Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Orf and will support area employers. His primary duties
will be consulting on their training needs, developing registered apprenticeship opportunities,
re-establishing the area’s employer consortium to unite the efforts of multiple employers,
and reaching out to funding sources for financial assistance with training costs.
Roy Crouch, education and employment outreach specialist, will concentrate his efforts
on recruiting both high school and adult students for training programs. Crouch also
recently completed Lincoln Electric welding certifications through NC3 and will act
as a part-time welding lab assistant, working with Larry Noller, technology program
specialist.
University officials are actively looking to hire a new full-time fabrication/welding
instructor.
The welding lab is currently at the GOCAT facility, but plans are underway to renovate
the Broadway Building on the MSU-WP campus proper and permanently locate the lab there.
“We want to begin transitioning our workforce efforts to be more than just the training
of our students, but a support system to our employers for their workforce needs,”
Sheila Barton said. “Our students need to see their education and training as an entry
into the workforce, giving them the tools they need to be successful and competitive
in the workplace.”
Program details
The advanced fabrication/welding technology program will prepare students for careers
in the manufacturing field by focusing on such skills as structural design and fabrication,
automated systems and robotic arc welding.
The program can be completed as a stand-alone, 25-credit-hour certificate program
in two semesters or as an option of the Associate of Applied Science in Technology
degree in two years.
The program also will include the MRW Work Ethic Certification Program developed through
the mikeroweWORKS Foundation and WSU Tech. This program will ensure that the next
generation of skilled workers have the employability skills to be successful in their
jobs long term.
“We are very excited to include this training within our manufacturing technology
programs,” Sheila Barton said. As an NC3 Leadership Center, the university can administer
the MRW Work Ethic Certification through NC3. Students who complete the program will
receive an industry recognized certificate.
For more information about the advanced fabrication/welding technology program or
to enroll, contact Sheila Barton at 417-255-7784 or sheilabarton@missouristate.edu.
