Butler Tech administers said this new adult education initiative is “designed to address the evolving needs of the regional workforce and strengthen local industry by providing advanced training in robotics, systems automation, and industrial maintenance technology.”
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
With the help of two state grants - through Ohio’s Super RAPIDS program - totaling more than $575,000, the Robotics and Systems Automation Program – along with a new Robotics and Industrial Maintence Lab - offers specialized training that equips students with the skills required for high-demand industrial jobs in the region, said officials.
Jon Graft, superintendent and CEO of Butler Tech, said “we have already started training” about 20 adult students with a plan to add hundreds of students before the end of 2024.
This latest expansion of one of Ohio’s largest, county wide career schools creates a key pipeline to get area industries the trained workers they desperately are seeking, said Graft.
“This is a great moment, especially for our adult ed students who want to either engage in a new (career) field or to advance their skills with an existing company they are already working for. And we will do customized training for companies who want to upskill some of their employees and for students who want to come in and learn the skills for the first time.”
The Super RAPIDS grants, which come from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, were targeted to Butler Tech due to the career school system’s record of success in both adult and high school job training, said John McGill, associate vice chancellor of economic advancement for the department.
McGill described the new learning programs as a “springboard for economic growth.”
“Butler Tech is a leader among technical centers across the state and it will now be the (robotics) training hub to operate for this region,” he said.
The Robotics and Systems Automation Program, focused on industry-leading systems, will begin its first classes on Monday, October 7, 2024. The program, which is offered at no cost to qualifying individuals through state-funded grants, provides students with industry-recognized credentials, including: Basic Programming with Material Handling and FANUC Handling Tool with Roboguide.
The eight-week program will have both day and evening classes.
Additionally, the Industrial Maintenance Technology (IMT) program, featuring a newly equipped lab with learning modules, robots, PLCs, and electrical technologies, is now enrolling for daytime classes starting on Sept. 3.
Prospective students can visit the Butler Tech website or call the LeSourdsville campus to learn more and apply. Financial aid and grants are available for eligible students.
Hamilton resident Andrew Duff is already a Butler Tech graduate of a similar IMT program using robotics and has moved on from his previous carpentry business to a new career.
“I didn’t realize how interested I was in robotics until I did that and now I’ve gone on to college and I’m getting an associate’s degree (from Sinclair Community College),” said the 42-year-old Duff.
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