ANN ARBOR – Students at Washtenaw Community College will be trained on state-of-the-art machinery after a nearly $250,000 donation from ZOLLER Inc.
The family-owned German technology company gave WCC students eight pieces of equipment to WCC’s advanced manufacturing lab including a CNC presetter, a tool station with a workbench and tool management software. Students in related associate and certificate programs will be able to access the equipment, WCC officials said.
Recommended Videos
New machinery will also help advanced manufacturing students when an apprenticeship program launches this fall as part of a “multi-pronged investment” in future professionals. The program will provide between four and six students with training and an opportunity for being hired for high-demand careers with ZOLLER per year.
“The donation is only one part of the equation. We want to help develop the curriculum and instructions, and have students visit our Headquarters for live demos and technical presentations. We’re offering an accelerated journey that no other college is receiving,” said ZOLLER training and development manager Michael Stepke in a release.
The Application Engineer Apprentice program will cover the tuition of apprentices who commit to the company for at least two years after graduation. Participants will also receive offer health and retirement benefits and additional weekly stipends.
WCC graduates in the program will calibrate the ZOLLER’s precision tool measurement equipment in facilities around the United States with the company’s service team.
“ZOLLER’s generous gift and investment in Washtenaw’s students helps us fulfil our mission of providing exceptional education while training and growing the workforce,” said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca in a release. “We are thankful for this donation and for our relationship with ZOLLER that helps our students on many levels.”
Participating WCC students will learn to calibrate machines, develop an understanding of cutting tool data flows in the manufacturing process and the necessities of tool preparation rooms, Stepke said.
“I’m not aware of any community college being able to offer this approach. Usually CNC equipment is taught as a concept by itself. Our new partnership will integrate the complete workflow from drawing to part. This will give the edge to these students,” Stepke added.
Those interested in the apprenticeship program should call 734-677-5221 or email apprenticeship@wccnet.edu.
Find more details here.