Workforce Development - Polymers Articles

The polymer technology workforce received a boost, thanks to recent training hosted by the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The National Science Foundation has recognized Pennsylvania College of Technology’s commitment to the plastics/polymer workforce by awarding a $594,574 Advanced Technological Education grant. The Practical Polymers for Students and Industry grant (award No. 2400810) will facilitate the redesign of the college’s polymer technology curriculum and support enhanced recruitment activities aimed at high school students, secondary teachers and incumbent workers.

The first in a series of hands-on workshops being offered this summer and fall by the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology proved highly beneficial for 26 participants from 11 companies based in five states. Led by prominent plastics experts, the three-day Extrusion Seminar & Hands-on Workshop provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of extruders and extrusion principles.

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sekisui Kydek opened its Bloomsburg operation to more than 100 secondary and vocational school students and their faculty chaperones this fall for Manufacturing Day – an immersive exploration of the vast career opportunities available in polymer engineering at which a five-member Pennsylvania College of Technology team actively participated.

Penn College's vice president for workforce development is included in "The 2023 Labor Power 100," profiled in a recent issue of City & State Pennsylvania magazine. Shannon M. Munro – who manages training and employment partnerships with the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center, Apprenticeship Center, Clean Energy Center and at Penn College at Wellsboro – is No. 91 on the list.

A diverse group of plastics professionals from throughout North America experienced higher-level technology in rotational molding during a recent workshop hosted by Pennsylvania College of Technology and its renowned Plastics Innovation & Resource Center.

A group of 35 employees from 18 companies attended the Hands-On Thermoforming Workshop at Pennsylvania College of Technology from June 27-29, schooled by in-house and industry experts on essential elements from materials to finished product.

Eleven plastics professionals representing six companies benefited from an Injection Molding Processing Series workshop hosted by Pennsylvania College of Technology and its acclaimed Plastics Innovation & Resource Center.

Scores of participants from across the country, some traveling from as far as California and Texas, were drawn to Pennsylvania College of Technology by the caliber of instruction at a three-day Plastics Innovation & Resource Center event.

Fifteen employees from six companies benefited from instructional material and hands-on reinforcement during the recent Plastic Materials & Processing Fundamentals workshop at Pennsylvania College of Technology.