Oakton CC and TMA Sign Joint Career Pathways Intiative
Oakton Community College and Technology & Manufacturing Association of Illinois Sign Joint Credential Pathway
(September 24, 2014 - Skokie, IL): Oakton Community College President Margaret B. Lee, Ph.D., and Steve Rauschenberger, President of the Technology & Manufacturing Association of Illinois (TMA), today signed a formal agreement that will launch "Make It In Manufacturing," a joint credential program through which TMA-trained students will receive Oakton college credits. "We are very excited to move forward on this partnership," President Lee said. "Creating an Oakton pathway that leads to a transferable credential for TMA-trained students allows us to effectively prepare the next generation of manufacturing professionals while ensuring they receive a well-rounded education."
At a signing ceremony held this morning at Oakton's manufacturing lab in Skokie, Presidents Lee and Rauschenberger were joined by College and TMA officials - as well U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider and TMA student Cesar Martinez.
"To lead a resurgence of the U.S. economy, we must focus on bringing production and innovation back to our shores," Congressman Schneider noted, adding, "One of the greatest challenges our manufacturers face is our nation's growing skills gap, as businesses with open positions and a desire to hire struggle to find workers with the necessary skills and training to do the jobs available. This partnership between Oakton and TMA is exactly the type of industry-academia coordination we need to develop the highly-skilled workforce capable of succeeding in the rapidly-shifting global marketplace."
Martinez, a five axis milling department team leader with X-L Engineering in Niles, gave his own perspective on the new partnership - which will put him on the fast track to enhancing his professional credentials: "I arrived in the United States in 2001, and was fortunate that X-L hired me right away, even though I couldn't speak English. Over the years, I've moved up the ladder - and last May, graduated from TMA's Related Theory Apprentice Training Program. Now, through this partnership with Oakton, I have the opportunity to build on that education and work toward a college degree."
Here are the program details: Math students in their first year of the TMA apprentice training program will receive credit for Oakton's Applied Mathematics course (MAT114 - 3 semester credit hours). Students taking TMA's 21st Century Introductory CNC course will receive credit for Oakton's Introduction to CNC Programming (MFG144 - 4 semester credit hours).
Of particular note: TMA students receiving credit for Oakton's MFG144 course will be well on their way to completing Oakton's CNC Operations/Programming Preparation Certificate or CNC/CAM Programming Certificate. Each certificate comprises three courses, and after completing the TMA class, students could transfer to Oakton and only need to complete two additional courses to earn a college certificate.
"We are pleased that Oakton is granting college credit for TMA training. This is a win-win for both organizations and those we serve," stated President Rauschenberger. "This validates the curriculum and level of training TMA provides. We look forward to continuing the TMA/Oakton partnership to offer even more to our members and their students."
About TMA: Eight small manufacturing companies who thought they could better themselves by associating with one another founded TMA in 1925. Through the years, members established programs and services that would help their businesses grow and prosper, train their employees, and provide medical and retirement benefits. As a result of these efforts, TMA has grown into an almost 1,000 member not-for-profit organization representing more than 30,000 employees of precision manufacturing and supplier companies throughout Illinois.
About Oakton: Founded in 1969 and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, Oakton Community College offers more than 140 associate's degree and career certificates. At its campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie, the College serves residents and businesses of Illinois Community College District 535, which incorporates 16 suburbs on Chicago's North Shore. With more than 2,500 course offerings each term, Oakton offers a wealth of educational options - whether you plan to transfer to a four-year institution or get on the fast track to a career.
Oakton Contact: Michael Carr (847.376.7046 or mcarr@oakton.edu) TMA Contact: Kristi McCotter (847.825.1120 or kmccotter@tmaillinois.org)