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Penn State New Kensington links local companies to WEDnetPA By Karen L. Trimbath
Penn State New Kensington Instructor Charles Dominick (standing) discusses problem solving with employees at Hamill Manufacturing Company of Trafford. The campus is providing training with funding from the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania. Photo by Penn State New Kensington	Workforce education gives employees the tools they need to do their jobs better. That’s the philosophy of Hamill Manufacturing Company of Trafford, located 20 miles east of Pittsburgh, Pa. Funding from WEDnetPA, the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania, obtained with the assistance of Penn State New Kensington, helped the company give its employees training in project management, problem solving and purchasing.   Southwestern Pennsylvania is the heartland of the tool and die industry, and local manufacturers have been hurt by the economic downturn. Budget constraints mean that, for many companies, employee training is often at the bottom of the list. That’s where the Continuing Education staff at Penn State New Kensington comes in. Last year, it connected 20 industry clients to WEDnetPA funding and referred them to the appropriate training centers.   This process offers the most flexibility to local companies, because they can use the funds to hire the right training center for their needs, according to Dr. Jan Orris, director of Continuing Education for Penn State New Kensington. He also notes that companies often choose Penn State to conduct the training, because “they are already familiar with the quality of our programs.”   Orris added, “WEDnetPA is a wonderful program that helps companies without training dollars meet their training needs. Our staff takes the burden off companies during the application process, and we tailor our services to fit each circumstance.”   Penn State faculty involved in teaching WEDnetPA-funded programs include Samuel Zabec, senior instructor of engineering, Penn State New Kensington; Dr. Wayne Smouse, instructor of information sciences and technology, Penn State New Kensington; Charles Dominick, instructor; Dr. Al Mastantuono, instructor of management development; John McKissick, instructor of management development; and Dr. Richard Zelonka, assistant professor of management development, Penn State New Kensington.   In the spring, Dr. Andrew Vavreck, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Altoona, taught project management to employees at Hamill, as well as at Mine Safety Appliance Company, a Pittsburgh-based firm that produces equipment and systems for workers and plant protection. He believes it is important not to rely on one standardized curriculum for all clients. For instance, he customized his course by visiting both company sites and talking with managers to learn what topics to emphasize.   Vavreck said he is committed to outreach projects, because of the chance to share knowledge with fellow engineers.   “I teach project management to my engineering students and business undergraduates. I get to go out into the field where project management is actively practiced—then go back and share what I’ve learned with my students. It goes both ways.”   Other recipients of WEDnetPA funding and Penn State training include Carbi-Tech (communications, CAD, ESPIRIT and review of Microsoft Office); Castle Rubber (basic supervision); Creekside Mushrooms (review of Microsoft Office); Dura Metal (basic supervision); Eljer Plumbing (basic supervision); Extrude Hone (lean manufacturing); GT Systems (introduction to Business.Net); IDL (project management); Met-Tec (CAD and Web design); Millenia/Triangle Circuits (sexual harassment); MSA (purchasing management, project management, GD and T, one-piece flow and basic supervision); Optical Systems (math, Microsoft Excel, blueprint reading); Penn State Tool and Die (team building and motivation); Snyder and Associates (review of Microsoft Office, written communication, Crystal reporting, Web design and Lotus); Ventana (quality work relationship, problem solving and performance management); Vision Products (review of Microsoft Office); Whitaker House (team building, review of purchasing, customer relations, Crystal reporting and CISCO security). An outreach program of Penn State New Kensington