formerly the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI)

A U G U S T--2 0 2 4

--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT--

Record enrollment!

MAMC machinist, welding and SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology) students were honored Aug. 28 with a luncheon at MAMC Huntington.

Machining, welding programs at capacity

New industrial maintenance program fills up in just first semester

---A record number of individuals have enrolled in the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center’s (MAMC) career skills programs for the fall term. New students hail from nine West Virginia counties as well as Lawrence County, Ohio; and Boyd County, Ky.

---MAMC’s new industrial maintenance program: SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology) – created in response to the critical needs of area manufacturers – is at capacity in both Huntington and Point Pleasant.

---The Welding Technology Program, offered in Cabell and Wayne counties, has been full for several weeks, with a growing waiting list of prospective students for spring term. MAMC will

double the number of welding students it educates when renovations and construction of its new Welding & Robotics Technology Training Center is complete, which is scheduled for late 2025 on the site of the former ACF Industries in Huntington.

---MAMC’s Machinist Technology/CNC Program is at capacity in Huntington with a waiting list for January classes. Beginning this month, MAMC expanded the program to South Charleston, where several students are developing skills for careers as machinists at MAMC’s Advanced Manufacturing Education and Training Center in the West Virginia Regional Technology Park.

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--STUDENT SUCCESS -

Nucor hires SMART students for industrial systems maintenance dept.

---Two Mason County individuals who just started college already have landed jobs with Nucor Steel West Virginia.

---Point Pleasant residents Ethan Jordan and Cole Miller, recent graduates of Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School, will work in the maintenance department at the new Nucor steel plant under construction in Apple Grove while enrolled in the SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology) Program at the Marshall University Mid-Ohio Valley Center in Point Pleasant.

---The SMART Program is the latest collaboration between the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) and Mountwest Community and Technical College. Classes are offered in Huntington and Point Pleasant.

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Mason County residents Ethan Jordan and Cole Miller (front) are joined by Nucor, MAMC and Mountwest officials as the SMART students officially sign on as Nucor employees.

Supply chain expo attracting small businesses from across the region

---More than 75 West Virginia small businesses already have registered to participate in the upcoming Industrial Supply Chain Expo sponsored by the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) and Advantage Valley. Several larger companies will be on hand to shop for suppliers.

---The expo will take place Thursday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Valley Park Conference Center in Hurricane. There is no cost to participate.

---Small businesses can reserve a table to showcase the goods and services they offer. Representatives of major companies will comb the event looking to connect with new suppliers. Click here for a list of the types of goods and services large companies are seeking.

---The event is the latest in an ongoing series of business-to-business networking opportunities presented by MAMC and Advantage Valley.

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--MAKER VAULT--

Take advantage of our extended making hours, new Tech Talk Thursdays

---To better serve the Marshall University community and makers across the Tri-State, the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) is offering extended makerspace hours every Tuesday and Thursday until 7 p.m.

---The Thursday extended hours include Tech Talks, informal maker mixers where creative types can share their creations, brainstorm with like-minded individuals and get help with technical challenges.

---“The Maker Vault, our community makerspace, is open to everyone from Marshall students facility and staff, to local hobbyists, artists, inventors, tinkerers, school children – anyone who need access to tools, technology and the expertise of our staff,” said Kara Mullins, MAMC Makerspace/STEM Coordinator.

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--SMART PROGRAM--

Freeman joins MAMC as advanced manufacturing industrial instructor

---Matthew Freeman of South Point, Ohio, is the newest member of the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center’s (MAMC) workforce development team.

---Freeman brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new position as advanced manufacturing industrial instructor. He teaches students in MAMC’s new SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology) Program, which is offered in Huntington and Point Pleasant through a partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College.

---Before joining MAMC, Freeman worked in a variety of manufacturing sectors for companies such as AK Steel, Calgon Carbon and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia. ---

---The Ironton, Ohio, native is a graduate of Dawson Bryant High School. He earned degrees in electro-mechanical engineering technology from

Shawnee State Community College and instrumentation technology from Shawnee State University.

---Freeman can be reached at matt.freeman@mfg.marshall.edu or 304.781.1681.

In case you missed it ... MAMC in the news

Marshall Innovation District represents a $200M plus, visionary venture (wsaz.com)

South Charleston-based maker of pipe-fitting tools helps U.S. Navy, NASA, SpaceX (Gazette-Mail)

Kids get hands-on STEM experience at STEMventure camp in Bridgeport (WBOY-TV)

U P C O M I N G-- E V E N T S

Sept. 12: FASTER WV Build Your Business

Workshop

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Clendenin Rec Center, 101 First St., Clendenin

Business coaches from the FASTER WV Entrepreneurship Program will be present to describe one-on-one business coaching, business basics classes and access to capital for the start-up or growth of small businesses in the region. Advantage Valley is offering this workshop to build upon the recreation and tourism investments that have centered around the establishment of the Elk River Trail System.

More information

Sept. 12: How to Build Your Capability Statement

2 p.m. to 3 p.m., online

A capability statement is your business’ primary marketing tool in the federal government marketplace. There are plenty of factors to consider when marketing your business to prime contractors and government agencies. Learn how to ensure your statement gives potential customers what they need to assess you as a responsible and responsive contractor, setting your business apart from the competition. Presented by the Regional Contracting Assistance Center’s APEX Accelerator. More information

Sept. 18: Building Credit: Money Smart for Small Business

Noon to 2 p.m., Preston County Chamber of Commerce, 157 Plaza Court, Suite 8, Kingwood

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center will present this free workshop to help small business owners understand the importance of maintaining good credit to ensure the success of their businesses. Learn best practices for

establishing good credit and improving your credit score as well as how credit scores are used to evaluate loan applications and award contracts.

More information

Sept. 19: Government Contracting 101

2 p.m. to 3 p.m., online

Learn how your small business can enter the federal marketplace. Marketing experts from the Regional Contracting Assistance Center APEX Accelerator will explain how to get registered in SAM, find federal opportunities and recommend tools for in-depth market research. More information

Sept. 26: Industrial Supply Chain Expo

9 a.m. to noon, Valley Conference Center, Hurricane

Join other small businesses from across West Virginia during this free business-to-business networking event presented by the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center and Advantage Valley. Connect with large companies looking for suppliers of a variety of goods and services. More information

Sept. 26: Huntington Regional Chamber Business After Hours Expo

5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Marshall Health Network Arena, Huntington

Connect with community and business members during this annual celebration featuring food, entertainment – and prizes. Share information about your business and learn about local providers of goods and services. More information

If you would like us to consider including information about your upcoming events, please send details to MAMC's Mike Friel at mike.friel@mfg.marshall.edu.