Tri-C dedicates mobile training unit

The mobile unit is scheduled for upcoming training use at Cleveland-area General Motors plants.

Cuyahoga Community College has received $60,000 from Citizens Bank in year one of a multiyear commitment supporting the College’s new mobile manufacturing training unit.

The Citizens Bank Mobile Training Unit will bring award-winning programs from Tri-C’s Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence to the doorsteps of Northeast Ohio companies and schools in nine counties, the college announced in a press release. It houses a versatile lab area for handson training and a classroom space with 10 desk stations, a whiteboard and video system.

The 53-foot-long trailer allows the college to offer customized programs at client sites, increasing access to essential training to address the region’s manufacturing skills gap, the release stated. Programs include CNC machining, welding, 3D printing and programmable logic controllers, with others in development.

The mobile unit is scheduled for upcoming training use at Cleveland-area General Motors plants. It has also been showcased at workforce events such as the recent IndustryWeek Manufacturing and Technology Conference and Expo in Cleveland and visited area high schools and community organizations.

“Tri-C is a valued community partner, and we are proud to support this unique educational resource,” Mike Shiplett, Ohio market executive at Citizens Bank stated in the release. “This investment will bring advanced, hands-on training to many who may have not have had the opportunity without it. This is an investment in job training and the local economy in Northeast Ohio.”

Citizens Bank has contributed more than $135,000 to Tri-C for various programs.

“This new gift will enable Tri-C to reach out to students, communities and organizations to expand access to advanced manufacturing training opportunities,” said Tri-C President Alex Johnson in the release.

In recognition of the bank’s support of Tri-C students and programs, the college dedicated the Citizens Bank Mobile Training Unit on June 15.