Honeywell (NYSE:HON) today announced the donation of training equipment to the
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) to help train and prepare
engineering students for manufacturing jobs. Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the
company’s corporate social responsibility initiative, has donated simulation
technology that teaches students skills needed to operate some of the world’s
most-critical production facilities such as refineries, chemical plants,
offshore oil rigs and others.
The
process simulator allows
students to practice
operating, maintaining and troubleshooting systems, and replicates real-world
control room procedures. As part
of the program, Honeywell Process Solutions engineers will routinely
visit the college to help maintain the equipment and guest lecture on topics
relevant to workplace development and the process manufacturing industry.
The donation was made to LATTC’s
Process Technology Program, the only one of its kind currently offered by any Los
Angeles-area professional trade school. LATTC students who train on the new process simulator and meet other
course requirements can be qualified to enter the job market as plant operators
or maintenance technicians and will help to fill the control room skills gap at
highly critical facilities.
Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Honeywell’s program will help
prepare students in this community with in-demand maintenance and operating
skills,” said Frank Whitsura, vice president of Honeywell Process Solutions. “Students
who train with this equipment will have an advantage competing for positions at
local manufacturing plants and facilities.”
Over
the past several years, manufacturers have seen workforces decline as large
numbers of veteran operators retire from plant control rooms without enough
skilled replacements prepared to step in. As a result, the industry is in the
midst of a major shortage of qualified workers.
Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We
consistently hear from our customers about a growing need for qualified control
room professionals,” said Whitsura. “Honeywell’s participation in the LATTC
grant program is just one example of the commitment we have made to training
and preparing the next generation of the workforce in order to meet demand for
skilled professionals across the processing industry.”
On March 11, 2014, Honeywell
Process Solutions, LATTC, and city officials will participate in a dedication
ceremony at the school to commemorate the partnership.