On December 9th, the first class from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center’s (WWRC) new Manufacturing Technology Training program graduated.
Approximately seven hundred people applauded as the students took the stage.
All graduates from WWRC have varying degrees of disability and were referred to WWRC by the DARS (Department for Aging and Rehabilitation) offices located throughout the Commonwealth.
This newest curriculum at WWRC embodies ‘stackable’ certifications including the Career Readiness Certificate (silver or higher), the OSHA10 certification, Forklift Training certificate, and the MS (Manufacturing Specialist) and MT1 (Manufacturing Technician Level 1©) certifications which are recognized by the VMA as valuable industry credentials for those seeking employment in Advanced Manufacturing. The curriculum includes a broad spectrum of manufacturing skill sets and academic rigor including business math, chemistry, spatial analysis and print reading, electricity, fluid mechanics including hydraulics and pneumatics as well as Quality including LEAN manufacturing and DMAIC. Life skills training is also given allowing the client to learn the valuable skills required for team social dynamics and the ‘soft skills’ which are necessary to be a productive employee in today’s fast pace environment. Multiple manufacturing facilities are visited during the training to give a better linkage between what the students are learning and how it is applied in an actual plant.
The recognition of the efforts put forth by these first MT1 graduates in manufacturing technology at WWRC could be seen in the emotions of their parents and friends. They recognized the hard work these WWRC clients exhibited in achieving their goal of becoming MT1 certified as they now move into the next stage of their lives.