New ECTC project accelerates advanced manufacturing 

Work Matters Column by Eileen Worthington

October is Manufacturing Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the vital role of advanced manufacturing in our economy. In order to support the robust and growing manufacturing sector we have here in the Lincoln Trail region, adequate regional workforce training is essential. 

Addressing this very need, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) established the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator Project (AMAP) earlier this year, which promotes advanced manufacturing career pathways and creates new opportunities for career exploration and preparation for residents of Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties. The project’s formation was made possible through a $1.9 million U.S. Department of Education Rural Postsecondary Economic Development grant.

As the new Director of AMAP, I am thrilled to lead this impactful initiative. The goal of AMAP is to build a comprehensive talent pipeline that connects middle school students to high school, then to ECTC, internships, and ultimately to employment in the advanced manufacturing sector. 

One of the foundational steps of this project is to educate teachers about advanced manufacturing. This summer, the AMAP team collaborated with local educators and industry partners to create paid externship opportunities. For instance, teachers from Meade County spent a week at Nucor in Brandenburg, learning directly from experts in the field. They returned to their classrooms equipped with fresh insights, which they can now integrate into their lesson plans.

Similarly, teachers from Grayson County visited Mid-Park Inc. and Byrd Tool in Leitchfield, spending two days at each site. Their goal was to explore ways to incorporate advanced manufacturing concepts into their lessons, emphasizing cross-curricular exposure. By participating in these externships, teachers gain firsthand knowledge of the industry, which they can pass on to their students, helping to plant the seeds of interest in advanced manufacturing.

Community involvement is essential to the success of AMAP. The program thrives on partnerships between teachers, ECTC faculty, and industry leaders. Over the next few months, students from surrounding counties will tour various advanced manufacturing facilities in Elizabethtown, giving them a closer look at potential career paths. Hosting these tours requires trust and collaboration between companies and educational institutions, showcasing their shared commitment to student success.

In addition to facility tours, ECTC will organize two college experience days, in which high school students will attend hands-on advanced manufacturing classes at our campus. This exposure allows students to see firsthand the practical applications of their studies and the teaching methods employed by ECTC instructors.

In June, we launched a VEX Robotics program, recognizing the value of robotics competitions in developing critical skills in students. These competitions not only introduce participants to advanced manufacturing concepts but also foster teamwork, problem-solving abilities and higher-level thinking. AMAP provided professional development for eight area teachers, equipping them with the tools needed to start or revive VEX clubs in their schools. In December, ECTC will host a scrimmage for participating teachers and their students. 

Recently, we also rolled out our new Immersive Learning Internship Model (ILIM). This program fosters a mutual understanding between student interns and industry partners, establishing clear standards for internships. These standards include competitive wages, flexibility for students' school schedules, a focus on hands-on experiences aligned with their educational pathways and more. The feedback from both students and employers has been overwhelmingly positive.

As we move forward with AMAP, we are looking to expand the initiatives we’ve launched. We plan to grow the VEX Robotics program and offer more opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing. Expanding teacher externships to reach more counties and industry partners is another priority, as is increasing participation in our new internship program.

Through these efforts, we hope to nurture a skilled workforce prepared to meet the demands of the growing regional advanced manufacturing sector, ensuring a brighter future for  our region. 

Eileen Worthington serves as Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator Project at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. She can be reached at eileen.worthington@kctcs.edu.