On Thurs., June 2, Shoreline Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing department will open its doors to the public for an open house event featuring live machining demonstrations, a stirling engine competition, student projects, and more.
The event runs from 2-5 p.m. in the 2500 building. In addition to being an opportunity for students to share their work with family, friends, and the general public, the open house is also a chance for anyone interested to tour the shop and learn more about a career in advanced manufacturing. Local manufacturing employers will also be in attendance, providing career seekers a networking opportunity.
“We’re excited to show off the stellar work our students have been doing this year,” said Keith Smith, lead faculty for the program. “We have an intensive program that’s designed to prepare students for entry straight into the job market, and I think the caliber of projects our students will show off at the open house will reflect that level of training.”
Demonstrations of student work will include robots simulating a game of checkers, 3D printing of dolphin trinkets, and milling of stackable blocks. Students will also show off their skills in a stirling engine competition and will conduct live machining demonstrations.
A highlight of the event will include student and employer speakers who will give their take on both the Shoreline CNC program experience and the current climate of the manufacturing industry.
“As the current workforce ages into retirement, we’re seeing a crucial need for skilled workers to enter the industry job-ready,” said Lauren Hadley, Acting Director – Manufacturing Grant Programs. “Shoreline students are highly sought after by employers because our graduates walk onto the floor already trained in skills essential to today’s manufacturing landscape.”
The current job market, coupled with Shoreline’s reputation for training students in excellence, makes now a perfect time for anyone interested in a career in manufacturing to explore the CNC program.
“The skills we teach here can completely change the trajectory of a student’s life,” said Hadley. “Anyone interested in manufacturing can graduate from our program and enter the workforce earning a family wage.”
The CNC program at Shoreline follows the I-BEST model, which includes instruction in a range of hands-on technical skills coupled with academic learning. The program was featured in a Seattle Times article and has been copied by colleges nationwide.
Members of the Manufacturing program’s Advisory Committee will be in attendance at the Open House event on June 2. The Manufacturing Advisory Committee is made of representatives from: ACCRA Manufacturing, Inc./Primus, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC), Arrow Machining Co., Inc., Avtech/Tyee, The Boeing Company, Crane Aerospace, Electroimpact, Ellison Technologies, Esterline, Firland, Gosinger, Horizon Manufacturing, Proto-Design Inc., PROVAIL, RB Enterprises, Inc., and Royell Manufacturing.