Communities

RTC students take on innovation challenge

CHARLESTON - Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the launch of a Manufacturing Innovation Challenge involving Industrial Maintenance students from the Randolph Technical Center and the Kingsford Charcoal Products plant.

The six-week challenge asks students to develop a practical solution to a manufacturing issue experienced by their manufacturing partner. This is the first time Randolph TC and Kingsford have participated in the challenge.

The students will rely on the fundamental skills of industrial maintenance, industrial electricity, and hydraulic and pneumatic system repair that they have been learning in their technical education classes. Working as a team, the students will determine why a bearing failed on a material shaker and present a solution to prevent future disruption to production. Students participating include C. Bedford,W. Bonner, B. Carowick, J. Fridley, H. Harman, L. Harman, E. Hebb, G. Hutton, B. Jack, C. Shreve, T. Sebastian, O. Webb, T. Williams and T. Wolford.

"Today's highschool students will be tomorrow's manufacturing workforce in West Virginia," said Program Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing Program on behalf of the West Virginia Manufacturing Association Educational Fund'sefforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas.

"We are excited to have members of Randolph Technical Center and Kingsford Charcoal Products partnering for thisyear's challenge. The real-world experience provides insight into a modern manufacturing environment that uses skills in technology, problem-solving, creativity and communication that they have been developing in school."