Truckee Meadows Community College has partnered with Panasonic Energy North America (PENA), as the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) funded a $1.6 million initiative to institute a training center for developing skilled workers in maintenance, and meet a rapidly increasing production demand. Over four hundred positions are looking to be filled, at $24 hourly starting and up to $32 with time in roll. As the project gets underway, the benefits of its creation will be evident in the continuing expansion of, and prosperity for, Nevada’s economy and citizens.
Improving Nevadans Futures
The TMCC-Panasonic Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (AMT) will be a ten thousand square foot, state-of-the-art area located in Panasonic’s new facility on Plumb Lane in Reno, Nevada. Capital for the plan comes through braided funding between GOED’s Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) and the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). As they undertake the state’s expansion necessities, Nevadans gain allies resolute in generating employment. The grant provides a variety of training opportunities in advanced manufacturing, production systems, automation and robotics for our local community. Panasonic also aims to support the effort of reaching the communities hit hardest by COVID-19, and its location will provide them with a convenient connection for training and access to living-wage jobs.
Maintenance technicians are the adhesive of a modern facility, melding optimal uptime and reliability to ensure all mechanisms are functioning properly. Without them, operational enterprises have the possibility of being disrupted by technical complications. They are the well-oiled machine that maintains the well-oiled machines. They are the best at what they do, preventive and reactive, and the AMT Center endeavors to train the specialists of the future.
The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) has been an influential partner in the AMT Center’s inception, too. TMCC’s long-standing collaboration with DETR will ensure accessible services throughout the training period and lend job placement support. As a collaborative effort between these entities, the AMT Center affords a non-traditional, low-risk entry point into a training program that leads to or is concurrent with employment. It’s an idealistic undertaking, allowing for students to be met where they are.
“We are dedicated to expanding our educational training program with Panasonic. A renewable energy economy is the foundation of the new Nevada,” said TMCC President Karen Hilgersom. “GOED and DETR’s support of this important industry growth effort will help hundreds of students prepare for their future careers.”
Based in the heart of our neighborhoods, it will be readily available by car, bus and on foot for those who may be ready to continue their education or need additional assistance. Considerable resources will be offered, such as practice interviews, resume writing, job coaching and English language assistance to supplement training completion, skill acquisition, and job sustainability.
“I’ve asked my team to focus on creating good jobs and making sure Nevadans have the training they need to get these jobs,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “This program will provide hundreds of Nevadans opportunities for advancement into good paying jobs. This is also another example of the critical need our community colleges play in workforce development.”
For more information about the TMCC-Panasonic Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, please contact the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.