In a unique partnership, Owens Community College, the University of Findlay and Bowling Green State University are coming together on a new Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics to meet the need for a highly trained workforce.
The Center will work with area employers in the Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics sectors to identify and anticipate their needs in workforce training, talent development, innovation, automation, systems integration, and supply chain management.
Tim Mayle, director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, calls the new Center a game changer, saying it will help Findlay and the region not just retain companies, but attract companies. You can get more of our conversation with Tim in the video below.
The Center will also serve as a centralized resource where the business community can bring specific workforce needs for customized training solutions.
The idea for the Center originated in consistent feedback from regional companies regarding the need for growing and enhancing talent to drive success.
“As an institution of opportunity with decades of history in Findlay, we know this partnership will help to meet workforce demands in advanced manufacturing and logistics,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College.
“This Center will serve as a model for northwest Ohio and beyond as more institutions of higher education look to power economic development in more meaningful and strategic ways.”
The training and instructional programs will be provided across three locations (Findlay, Bowling Green, Perrysburg) and will range from on-degree track certificates and badges, to degree track curricula for associate, bachelor’s, and post-graduate degrees.
The Center will also focus on facilitating a wide range of co-op and internship opportunities.
“The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics demonstrates the power of a four-year public university, a two-year public community college and a private four-year university all coming together to partner and to demonstrate our relevance to Ohio and beyond,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “This partnership is one example of how we are meeting workforce demands by connecting education and listening and responding to industry needs.”
“We are fortunate to live, learn, and work in a vibrant and collaborative community,” stated Dr. Katherine Fell, president of the University of Findlay.
“Having a dynamic and flexible mechanism for intentional workforce development is vital to the continued growth of our region.”
(pictured above are Dr. Rodney K. Rogers, President, Bowling Green State University, Dr. Dione D. Somerville, President, Owens Community College, Chancellor Randy Gardner, Ohio Department of Higher Education and Dr. Katherine Fell, President, University of Findlay)