New training program will provide home-grown skilled labor force

As Yuma's manufacturing sector grows, so too does its need for trained employees.

In an unprecedented effort, industry leaders, educators, economic developers and job placement providers have collaborated to develop a home-grown training program.

Equally unusual, the program has become a reality in just a few months.

"I'm excited to be able to turn discussion into action, especially as quickly as we did," said Chris Camacho, president and CEO of Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., who served as a facilitator for the project.

The project grew out of a survey conducted by GYEDC in 2006 as part of an effort to develop and nurture the area's growing manufacturing sector. The survey determined key areas that needed to be emphasized, said Camacho. Those were a need for a leadership training program within existing industry and a need for a skilled labor force, especially in electrical maintenance.

That was a springboard for the formation of the Yuma Manufacturing Association, which rolled up its collective sleeves and set about coming up with solutions. Key members include Johnson Controls, Shaw Industries, Carrier UTC, Alside Windows, Northwestern Industries, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Gowan Milling and OneSource Distributors.

In seven short months, they formed a partnership with Arizona Western College to start up a college-level training program. It was truly a collaborative effort, said Andrew Renkey, plant manager for Johnson Controls.

YMA members developed the curriculum for two courses - a basic industrial electrical maintenance course and a more advanced course about programmable logic controls. PLCs are the "brains of the manufacturing process" - computerized control centers that make decisions for the operation of the system based on criteria programmed into them and the inputs they receive from the process.

"We're a very high tech industry," Renkey said. "These are very valued skills. Whereever you go in the industrial environment, you can keep things running."

Instructors also came from private industry, experts in their fields who went through the accreditation process to become associate professors.

As a result, Renkey said, "everything is relevant. Nothing is taught that won't be used."

As part of the partnership, AWC provides the facility at the college's Trades Program complex at Yuma Commerce Center, while Yuma Private Industry Council screens students for aptitude and interest.

OneSource Distributors provided much of the material and equipment for students to work on. The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce also was involved.

It's an opportunity that previously has been available only through engineering schools, Renkey said.

Initially, the program was open only to existing employees, he said. Now it's available to "the people who have been doing the nuts and bolts work. By partnering with the college, we've turned it into a college program, not a trade school. This could become a model for how to combine higher education with business needs in the community."

It's also nice to be able to provide an opportunity for advancement to existing employees, he said.

"This is one of the best opportunities we've seen to engage industry," said Daniel Barajas, AWC associate dean for community and educational partnerships. "Schools don't always have the resources to develop such classes. The partnership provides the resources to enable us to do this."

Eventually, the plan is to open the training program to the general public. And perhaps some of the students will decide to pursue engineering degrees.

This will provide a tremendous economic development tool, said Camacho. Not only will the program provide a skilled labor force for the expansion of existing businesses, but it will also be an incentive for other companies to locate here.

In the near future, the leadership program will be launched to train existing employees who are interested in advancing to team leaders, supervisors and managers, Renkey said.

YMA has other roles as well, Camacho noted.

The organization meets monthly and includes tours of the various plants so members can network and learn how the others operate. If interested in participating, call GYEDC at 782-7774.

YMA also serves as an economic development tool.

Prospective clients thinking of locating in the Yuma area can "interface with experienced managers here before making a site decision," Camacho said. "Their testimony affirms what GYEDC says about the benefits of the area. First-hand testimonials are a tremendous incentive."

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.