Hartford Business Journal

10 Hartford Business Journal • September 21, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com Q&A Goodwin's manufacturing center mixes technology with teaching Q&A talks about the recently opened Goodwin College Business & Manufacturing Center with Albert Pucino, program director, manufacturing management and quality management systems. Q: Goodwin College has opened a new manufacturing center. What does the college plan to offer in the space? A: The Goodwin College Busi- ness & Manufacturing Center, with a total footprint of nearly 60,000 square feet, currently comprises of classrooms with computerized smart boards and computers; a quality manage - ment and metrology laboratory; a supply chain and logistics labo- ratory; and a computer numeri- cal control (CNC) and manual machining laboratory. A student lounge provides pupils with unhindered access to faculty members. Future plans include the creation of a business incubator space and additional classrooms and labs to support our growing manufacturing and business offerings. Q: What new technology has gone into the new manu- facturing center? A: State-of-the-art equipment and software will be used for course instruc- tion in the center. The quality lab features conventional, optical and portable coordi- nate measurement machines (CMM), fully automated height gauges, microscopes with video, refractometers, digital mechanical strength testers for materials, and various Bluetooth-enabled micrometers, calipers and depth gauges. The supply chain and logistics lab has numerous bar code scan- ners and printers, radio frequency identifica- tion (RFID) readers, tool management smart cabinets, an automated tool setter, as well as material requirements planning software. The machining lab comprises manual and CNC machinery for turning, milling, drilling and grinding, as well as a computer-automat- ed laser engraver. Q: What's the driving force behind the technology being used there? Why was it selected? A: The Goodwin College manufactur- ing program's educational goal is to provide students with the skills necessary to secure jobs in the field of manufacturing. During our exploratory phase, representatives from the college met with dozens of area manufactur- ers to assess their workforce needs and gaps. From that group came our Manufacturing Advisory Board, which now includes repre- sentatives from 14 local manufacturers. These companies shared insights on what they saw as the most necessary and employable skills in manufacturing based on their experi- ence and knowledge. We benchmarked other colleges that offer manufacturing programs and based our selection of technical courses and laboratory equipment on these criteria. Q: In the academic world, how long does it take for colleges and universities to respond to changing technology? How quickly can it be adapted? A: We have found that once the data and/or information for change is presented, substan- tiated and evaluated, the decision to proceed is fairly rapid. Historically, Good- win College has had the flexibility and mission to meet employment needs quickly. Approximately three years ago, we initiated our venture into manufacturing train- ing. We have convened subject matter experts with the passion for advancing manufacturing, and we have received support from the college that has provided the nec- essary resources. Manufacturing professionals understand the need to be flex- ible and responsive to chang- ing needs in the workforce and market. Educational institutions need to be able to meet the needs of both students and employers quickly and effectively. Q: More importantly, how quickly can it be taught in a meaningful academic way? A: Changes in technology can be incorporated into the academic curriculum in a meaningful way by employing the best manufacturing instructors to instruct class lectures, pro- viding the latest hands-on laboratory equip- ment, and developing strong partnerships with local industries. Q: Your website says CT has the highest average pay nationally for man- ufacturing employees. What positions are paying best? A: Here are examples of average annual pay for manufacturing positions in the state of Connecticut: • Power-plant operators $63,824 • Patternmakers, metal and plastic $61,782 • First-line supervisors/managers of pro- duction and operating workers $60,715 • Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers $59,455 • Transportation, storage and distribu- tion managers $89,242 • Installation, maintenance and repair occupations $47,377 • Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastics $41,086 Q: How does a college handle both the technical and academic discipline of your manufacturing center? How is it pos- sible to mix both and maintain a strong academic reputation while presenting a viable technology based education? A: The manufacturing courses at Good- win integrate lectures and labs in order to provide the manufacturing student with both the theory and the technology of manufactur- ing processes while also providing a hands- on experience. It is crucial that academics and technol- ogy education complement each other; one is not more important than the other. Providing the correct balance is key. n ALBERT PUCINO Program director, manufacturing management and quality management systems, Goodwin College Business & Manufacturing Center West Hartford, CT 5:30 p.m. Cocktails and Dinner Reception 7:00 p.m. Program and Award Presentation 8:00 p.m. Dessert Reception 2 0 1 5 G R E AT E R H A R T F O R D TORCH OF LIBERTY A W A R D R E C E P T I O N Thursday, October 1, 2015 JOIN US AS WE HONOR John J. Patrick, Jr. Chairman, President and CEO Farmington Bank JoAnn H. Price Managing Partner Fairview Capital The Hon. Nancy Wyman Lieutenant Governor State of Connecticut Corporate Sponsorships Available • Make your reservations today Contact Lisa Ratcliff at: lratcliff@adl.org or 203.288.6500 ext. 304

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