Over the course of two years, the students will complete one class per semester. Students who complete the academy will not only earn dual enrollment credits at Calhoun Community College, but also receive a Certified Production Technician Certification from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council.

Those base credits may be used toward a student's associate degree from Calhoun Community College. Local school and industry leaders say that certification would also be very attractive to local companies like Polaris, Asahi Kasei Plastics, EFI Automotive and the future Toyota-Mazda manufacturing facility.

After Toyota-Mazda opened in 2021, it has an annual payroll of $200 million. The average anticipated salary, officials have said, will be $50,000, which is exclusive of benefits. Several formal students are now employed at Toyota-Mazda.

How it works:

In addition to being an 11th-grader, students who are interested in the program must be enrolled full-time at an area high school and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.

Curriculum:

• Manufacturing safety practices: An introduction to general issues, concepts, procedures, hazards and safety standards found in an industrial environment. It also covers safety awareness training for issues associated with a technician's changing work environment in an effort to eliminate accidents;

• Precision measurement: A hands-on course covering the use of precision measurement instruments, including basic print reading, reverse engineering and related industry standards required in advanced manufacturing disciplines;

• Quality control concepts: The course covers quality assurance programs including the history of the quality movement, group problem solving and statistical methods such as statistical process control, process capability studies and concepts associated with lean manufacturing; and

• Maintenance awareness: The course provides students with knowledge and skills related to maintenance awareness in a manufacturing environment. Topics include preventative maintenance, routine repair, monitoring and housekeeping. Students learn to recognize potential maintenance issues in electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, machine automation and lubrication systems.

• Production: The course covers production.

For more information about the program, contact LCCTC Counselor Julie Meals.