NIMS awards national accreditations

Fairfax, Virginia – NIMS Accreditation is the highest benchmark for metalworking training programs in the United States as based on national, industry- written and industry-driven skills standards. Three programs have recently earned accreditation and one has renewed its national accreditation.

 

In doing so, staff and faculty have met the stringent quality requirements set forth by NIMS, which include a program self-audit, the certifying of faculty and students in NIMS national, industry credentials, and an intensive two-day on-site evaluation at each center.

 

Evaluations are based on a comprehensive facility inspection, observation of student safety habits and a series of in-depth interviews with faculty, administrators, and local employers.

 

With a nationally accredited program, each school demonstrates its commitment to continuous improvement as it provides industry-level training for its community, state, and for the greater U.S. manufacturing industry.

 

Established in 2012, The Metals Technology – Machine Tool Program at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri, earned national accreditation from NIMS as of Jan. 6, 2016.

 

The on-site evaluation occurred in late fall 2015 and was conducted by NIMS Lead Evaluator Tom Rhoads (American Railcar Industries, Inc.) who was assisted by Education Representative Chris Muenks (State Technical College of Missouri, formerly Linn State). 

 

The team issued above-average ratings in the evaluation areas of: Purpose; Program Features; Equipment, Tooling, & Measuring Devices; Administration; and Faculty & Instructional Staff.

 

This accreditation is based on NIMS National Skill Standards for Machining Level I and Level II with a focus on milling and lathe operations.

 

Established in 1973, the Machine Tool Technology Program at United Technical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, set a new height in program history by becoming nationally accredited by NIMS as of Dec. 22, 2015.

 

The on-site evaluation occurred in November 2015 and was conducted by NIMS Lead Evaluator Gregory Chambers (Oberg Industries, Inc.) who was assisted by Education Representative Kurt Norris of BridgeValley Technical and Community College and Industry Representative Greg Racicot of Haas Factory Outlet-Midwest. 

 

This accreditation is based on NIMS National Skill Standards for Machining Level I with a focus on the manual machining skills. 

 

Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, has set a new height in the 36-year history of its Manufacturing Technology program, a vital component of the Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AzAMI) at the college. The program received NIMS Accreditation as of Dec. 10, 2015.

 

The on-site evaluation occurred in fall 2015 and was conducted by NIMS Lead Evaluator Mark Lashinske (Modern Industries, Inc.) who was assisted by Education Representative Chris Williams (Tucson High Magnet School) and Industry Representative Mark Reish (Modern Industries, Inc.).

 

The team issued above-average ratings in the evaluation areas of: Purpose; Facility; Program Features; Equipment, Tooling, & Measuring Devices; Administration; and Faculty & Instructional Staff.

 

Upon receiving the distinction, college personnel Sandy Lindauer, Joe Martinez, Leah Palmer, and Kevin Weaver commented that "for us accreditation conveys an important message about the quality of our advanced manufacturing programs to students, industry and other academic institutions by validating a certified skilled and trained workforce. More importantly, it allows for a pathway of continuous improvement for the program by bringing together industry partners, faculty and community leaders via the advisory committee, who can work together to align course curriculum and industry certifications with industry demands."

 

This accreditation is based on NIMS National Skill Standards for Machining Level I and Level II with a focus on the manual and computer numerical control (CNC) machining skills and allows students to pursue any and all credentials offered by NIMS.

 

Maintaining national industry standards inside the classroom is no easy task but the faculty and staff of Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, once again rose to the challenge and officially renewed the national accreditation of the Machine Tool Technology program as of Dec. 7, 2015.

 

The Machine Tool Technology Program offers manual and CNC machining training and provides students with the opportunity to earn NIMS certifications, resulting in hundreds of national certifications issued to students to date. Leading by example, Instructor Ken Pedder holds nine NIMS credentials himself.

 

Following a rigorous on-site audit by veteran NIMS Evaluator Kurt Heinly, the program received the high scores in the accreditation evaluation categories of: Administration Support; Equipment, Tooling & Measuring Devices; Facilities; Instructional Staff; Program Features; Program Purpose; and Student Testing Efforts.

 

Reestablishing this industry award secures accreditation for the next five years.

 

 

 

 

https://www.mesacc.edu/workforce-development/azami

[mesa com col]