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Northview Manufacturing Tech Program Becomes Regional Model
October 22, 2014
The Automation and Production Technology Academy at Northview High School is being used as a model for similar academies at middle and high schools across the region.
Tuesday, the Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council’s Academy Task Force met at Northview to tour the manufacturing technology program to learn more about how it works. Upon completing the program, students are able to earn industry certifications that allow them to better compete for technical jobs upon graduation, or they can early college credits to continue their education.
According to Steve Harrell, the Escambia County School District’s curriculum coordinator for Workforce Education, employers are looking for job candidates that not only know how to create technical designs, but also have real experience implementing and constructing those designs.
“Employers are looking for the person with callouses on their hands,” said Harrell. “They want the person that knows how to design that also knows how to make it work.”
Training equipment was purchased for the Northview program with a $100,000 grant that allows students to get that experience.
“The students are excited and love the hands on; they are on the computers and the equipment from bell to bell,” said academy instructor Marty Lister.
And now, the Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council is set to recommend training equipment for middle and high schools across the region, based upon the Northview academy, The council has about $1.5 million from the state, with a goal of creating an academy in at least one middle and high school in each county in the region that is comprised of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Jackson, Calhoun, Holmes, Washington, and Liberty counties.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “Northview Manufacturing Tech Program Becomes Regional Model”
To Donna Funck – yes it is a 4 year program – but on a rare occasion we can fast-track the student and get them through the program in order to get certified. I am fast-tracking a senior at Northview now in the manufacturing academy. He is two tests away from completing his certification. If you have any questions – please feel free to call me at the school. I am the Instructor for the Manufacturing Academy at Northview.
Many of the high school career academies require 3 or 4 years of sequential coursework. Does anyone know if this is the case for the Manufacturing Tech program? I couldn’t find an answer on Northview’s school website.
these new technology-based programs are fast becoming the way of the future. Employers are looking more for the hands on folks with common sense than they are the clueless college grad that can tell you anything you want to know about how beetles breed in sub-zero temps but they don’t know the slightest thing about a common sense approach to working with their hands AND minds. You won’t find anyone more passionate about what they do than Steve Harrell either. The amount of enthusiasm he brings to the district is amazing. Great job!!
I took an Industrial Electronics program similar to this at Atmore State Technical College which is not taught anymore. I have had a good 22 year career working in radio communications and then audiovisual. There is shortage of qualified technicians in the audiovisual industry right now.
Wow! I would have loved to have been offered that when I was at Northview!
I am happy to see this. I was an electronic tech who did R& D in California. I just wish they had somewhere to work here when they graduate. I left and went where the work is, and unfortunately many of them will have to do the same thing.