PTC to take part in Minnesota Dream It Do It Statewide Tour of Manufacturing

Have you ever wondered what happens inside manufacturing plants? Now, you can come and see for yourself during the Dream It Do It Statewide Tour of Manufacturing. Manufacturers will open their doors for tours across the state for this industry event as the Minnesota Manufacturers’ Week wraps up.

Pine Technical College will be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct.24. All are welcome, including: families, job seekers, and school and community groups, to learn first-hand how people make the things we use every day. The tour is free, and no registration is needed.

Minnesota manufacturers make snowmobiles, construction equipment, airplane parts, military technology, life-saving medical devices, baseball bats and wooden toys, and more.

Manufacturing is the backbone of Minnesota’s economy. According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the industry impacts over 30% of Minnesota jobs. “We’re excited to open our doors so youth, families and job seekers can see the technology, creativity and need for educated employees in their community in advanced manufacturing,” shared the Advanced Manufacturing Team, Pine Technical College

The Tour of Manufacturing is supported by local manufacturing business partners, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 360° Manufacturing and Applied Manufacturing ATE Regional Center of Excellence, Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association, Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, Arrowhead Manufacturers and Fabricators Association, Tri-State Manufacturers’ Association and the Minnesota Manufacturers Coalition.

To learn more about the tour, visit tourofmanufacturingmn.com; to learn more about manufacturing, visit dreamitdoitmn.com.

About Dream It Do It

Dream It Do It, led by 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering ATE Regional Center of Excellence, collaborates with industry members to promote careers in manufacturing in Minnesota. To learn more about this initiative, visit dreamitdoitmn.com or contact Jessica Gehrke at 218-755-2209 or jgehrke@bemidjistate.edu. Local contact at Pine Technical College: Heidi Braun 320-629-5178 braunh@pinetech.edu.

Pines get motived to ‘Take Back College’

Pine Technical College’s students, staff, and faculty had the opportunity to get to know one another through a three-minute tell-all, no-questions-asked segment during motivational speaker Ryan Penneau’s presentation Friday, Sept. 6.

Penneau was invited by PTC’s Student Senate to come share his “Take Back College” philosophy and presentation.

“We’ve seen him at a few MSCSA Conferences and he’s awesome,” noted Student Senate Advisor Amanda Spencer. “He’s so excited about education and students.”

Before diving in, Penneau had his audience engage in “get to know you” activities. “I always like to create some sense of community before we start,” he informed.

“He really gets the crowd to pay attention,” said PTC student and Student Senate Treasurer April Sheldon. “He’s super excited about everything, and that gets us motivated.”

Penneau’s focus was students taking charge of their college career by overcoming their own mindgames. “I love working with students,” he said of his career. “I love the potential of what students have in front of them.”

After sharing a few anecdotes in life that has led him to his success today, Penneau made it clear that he believes every individual has more potential for themselves than they realize. “Our mind does very powerful things to us, and I really believe that,” he explained during his presentation. “We have a preset mind of the way things should be.”

Penneau went on to further stress his belief of challenging oneself. “We go through life and we get stuck. Why?” he questioned. “The person you are determines your future.”

Penneau strongly encouraged that students “move beyond the classroom,” and recommended they join a club or organization that was out of their comfort zone, such as student government.

To prove his point, Penneau shared his story of when he once interviewed for an on-campus job as a college student, but did get it, due in part to his lack of knowledge in the LGTB Organization. After his interview, he joined the organization.

“I never thought I’d want to join because I’m not LGTB,” he stated, but he knew if he wasn’t cultured, he’d be irrelevant in the job market.

Penneau is a firm believer in self-awareness; it motivates us; and starts with thoughts, he stated, and as far as one’s own success goes, Penneau explained, there is “no formula other than asking questions and working really hard.”

“The only thing I can do (for students) is plant a seed.”

For more information about Penneau, or his “Take Back College” philosophy, go to www.takebackcollege.com.

PTC named leader in $18 million consortium grant

Pine Technical College has received an $18.3 million four-college, multi-state consortium grant in part of an effort to expand demand-driven skills training, and strengthen employer partnerships. The Obama Administration made the announcement of the $474.5 million in grants to community and technical colleges across the U.S. on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

“The grants are part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant program, a multiyear, nearly $2 billion initiative to expand targeted training programs for unemployed workers, especially those impacted by foreign trade,” explained a press release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

This award will allow PTC to begin offering programs such as: cybersecurity, mobile applications development for the iPhone, iPad and Android markets, and IT network training with Microsoft and Cisco certifications.

All six schools awarded in Minnesota are part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. PTC was named the consortium leader for the Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA) grant. Members of this consortium are North Central Texas College, Central Lakes College, and Ridgewater College. The other Minnesota schools awarded were Century College, for the Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics consortium, and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, for the Mississippi River Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics consortium (MRTDL). 

The consortium amount for Pine Technical College and its members totals $18,317,022, with an industry focus of Information Technology. PTC will receive $6,898,193 of the $18+ million. PTC President Dr. Robert Musgrove explained that this particular consortium is focused on meeting the rural employment needs in information technology, which will allow employees to stay in their localities. 

There is a shortage of IT resources in rural areas, and with this grant, the four schools, along with allied workforce centers, industry partners, and IT employers will work to implement a project that addresses critical rural IT needs in the workforce. “Together, we can achieve more collectively,” said Musgrove, who also noted that the creating and writing of the RITA grant was “very much a collaborative effort.”

To fulfill this project, the schools will upgrade college programs, construct career ladders, work to remove barriers to the TAA-eligible workers and other adult workforce center clients, and find high-wage employment. Along with this project, the program will develop or expand a range of IT programs that will be available at all colleges, on-site, online, or by hybridized solutions.  Each program is designed for completion within two years, and has various entry and exit points.

"In the 8th District, I'm particularly pleased to see Pine Technical College in Pine City and Central Lakes College in Brainerd receiving a combined total of just under $10 million to boost their already highly successful education and career training programs," said Representative Rick Nolan in a statement issued by the Minnesota Congressional Delegation Sept. 19.  "What a boost for those institutions, their students and faculty, and the local communities that have been so supportive."

These grants are the third installment of a nearly $2 billion community college initiative, and the four-year grant will begin Oct. 1, 2013.     

PTC offers many student clubs; check them out

Pine Technical College may be nestled within the small, quaint, community of Pine City, but it offers a large variety of opportunities for our fellow Pines.

Through PTC’s clubs, students can join one of two honor societies, become involved with PTC’s student government (Student Senate), enhance their entrepreneurship skills within the CEO Club, and learn leadership skills, as well as gain more access to scholarships.

Students who enjoy numbers or technology may be interested in the annual Pi Day celebration, and partaking in math puzzles through the Math Club. Or, through the Computer Club, students can take the opportunity to learn and discover new and current concepts in the fields of computer science and robotics.

Environmental responsibility and healthy living are important, so the Evergreen Club may be the right fit for some Pines, while developing a high standard of moral, ethical, and safe health care providers through the Nursing Club may be of interest to others.

Some students may want to enhance their student self-worth and employability skills for future careers through technical training, competitions, projects, and team building, and can do so by joining SkillsUSA.

And PTC students who enjoy hitting the shooting range can look to promote shooting by fielding shotgun, rifle and handgun teams in the Shooters Association.

“We have many clubs and student organizations on campus, so there is something for everyone. And if there is not something for you, you can always start your own club or organization,” said Student Senate Advisor Amanda Spencer.  “It’s a great way to meet new people and get involved on campus.”

For more information on any of these clubs, and how to join them, visit www.pinetech.edu/student-life/student-clubs, or go to Pine Technical College’s website homepage and click on Student Life on the top left.