KYOCERA SGS Brings New Manufacturing Jobs to Danville
Advanced Manufacturing Continues to Grow Throughout Southwest Virginia
KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools has announced it will invest $9.5 million to establish a new manufacturing operation in the city of Danville, Virginia which will require specially trained technicians competent in robotics and electrical technology. In a recent news report, KYOCERA CEO Alan Pearce says the company will build a 30,000-square-foot facility and hire 35 people. According to the report, the company supplies Rolls Royce and serves three main markets: aerospace, airplane companies, and medical products.
In a press release issued by the company, Pearce said, “We are an organization with a long history of tradition and values, where creative and progressive thinking has established industry changing and leading high performance solutions. The history of the Danville area and its people, coupled with the high level technical skill development and engineering advancement efforts driving Virginia into an industrial leading position in the future, is the essence of why the KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub is being created in Danville, Virginia.”
This latest announcement continues a growing trend of companies locating or expanding operations in Southwest Virginia. While KYOCERA was duly impressed with Virginia’s push to develop a skilled workforce, that effort is still in its infancy. Throughout the nation, there is a great push taking place to accommodate the needs of the growing manufacturing sector. Many companies are looking to expand, but cannot find enough skilled workers.
Referred to as the “Skills Gap,” this situation continues to hinder economic growth, and it all stems, primarily, from a lack of understanding. Many young people perceive manufacturing as a dead-end field. They’ve been influenced by decades-old stories about plants closing and jobs moving overseas, but that has changed. With the advent of robotics and advanced automation, American manufacturing companies are now able to compete with other countries’ cheap labor.
This game-changing technology is having a transformative effect. The atmosphere within today’s advanced manufacturing facilities is much different than it was decades ago. While automation has altered the number of employees required, the jobs that remain are much different from years past. Gone are hot, dirty factory floors, replaced by operations that look more like science labs. The people who work in these places are highly-skilled professionals who monitor, program, and troubleshoot issues to keep this modern equipment running at peak efficiency.
Obviously, working in advanced manufacturing now requires some education. Unskilled labor and learning on the job is, for the most part, a thing of the past. That’s why manufacturers are working to change public perception about their industry and encourage young people to pursue degrees in this field. They need to act fast.
So, what kind of skills are required for this kind of work? There are basically three types of professionals who work in advanced manufacturing – electronics, mechanical, and computer experts. Those who have skills in all three areas, however, are manufacturing mavericks! How can you develop these skills? Consider earning a degree in Mechatronics. As a school with its roots steeped in technology, ECPI University was among the first to offer such a degree. It combines curriculum in electronics engineering with computer information science and mechanical engineering technology.
At ECPI University, we know employers have no time to lose, and neither do you. If you want to earn your degree as soon as possible, consider enrolling in our year-round accelerated program where you can earn your Bachelor’s degree in 2.5 years or an Associate in just 1.5 years. If you want to specialize, consider some of our other programs like Electronics Engineering or Mechanical Engineering technology.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact one of our helpful admissions advisors today one of our helpful admissions advisors today. With campuses throughout Virginia, you’re sure to find a location and a program that’s just right for you.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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