Q&A talks about the recently opened Goodwin College Business & Manufacturing Center with Albert Pucino, program director, manufacturing management and quality management systems.
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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 Business & Manufacturing Center, with a total footprint of nearly 60,000 square feet, currently comprises of classrooms with computerized smart boards and computers; a quality management and metrology laboratory; a supply chain and logistics laboratory; and a computer numerical 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 manufacturing center?
A: State-of-the-art equipment and software will be used for course instruction in the center. The quality lab features conventional, optical and portable coordinate 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 scanners and printers, radio frequency identification (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-automated laser engraver.
Q: What's the driving force behind the technology being used there? Why was it selected?
A: The Goodwin College manufacturing 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 manufacturers to assess their workforce needs and gaps. From that group came our Manufacturing Advisory Board, which now includes representatives from 14 local manufacturers.
These companies shared insights on what they saw as the most necessary and employable skills in manufacturing based on their experience 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, substantiated and evaluated, the decision to proceed is fairly rapid. Historically, Goodwin College has had the flexibility and mission to meet employment needs quickly. Approximately three years ago, we initiated our venture into manufacturing training. We have convened subject matter experts with the passion for advancing manufacturing, and we have received support from the college that has provided the necessary resources.
Manufacturing professionals understand the need to be flexible and responsive to changing 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, providing the latest hands-on laboratory equipment, and developing strong partnerships with local industries.
Q: Your website says CT has the highest average pay nationally for manufacturing 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 production and operating workers $60,715
• Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers $59,455
• Transportation, storage and distribution 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 possible to mix both and maintain a strong academic reputation while presenting a viable technology based education?
A: The manufacturing courses at Goodwin integrate lectures and labs in order to provide the manufacturing student with both the theory and the technology of manufacturing processes while also providing a hands-on experience.
It is crucial that academics and technology education complement each other; one is not more important than the other. Providing the correct balance is key.
