By Barbara Dennis, Penn State
ArcelorMittal Steelton and the United Steelworkers Local 1688, in partnership with Penn State Harrisburg and Penn State York, recently launched Steelworker for the Future in Central Pennsylvania. Steelworker for the Future is an associate degree program, along with advanced industrial credit certificates, designed to prepare students for high-tech, well-paying careers in the steel or manufacturing industry.
“Steelworker for the Future plays an important role in developing a skilled workforce that will continue to deliver on ArcelorMittal’s critical mission of producing safe, sustainable steel in the years to come,” said David Wirick, general manager, ArcelorMittal Steelton. “The program will promote the skills and experience needed by future employees, allowing them to succeed in today’s manufacturing industry while advancing our workforce development efforts. Steelworker for the Future truly represents collaboration at its best — with industry and education working together to respond to a real-world challenge.”
Steelworker for the Future will guide students to earn an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology or electrical engineering technology from Penn State York and obtain four advanced certificates — Mechanical Engineering Technology Certificate I, Electrical Engineering Technology Certificate I, Advanced Industrial Mechanical Certificate, and Advanced Industrial Electrical Certificate — from Penn State Harrisburg.
Steelworker for the Future includes four semesters of classroom learning, and qualified students have the option of 12 weeks of paid training through summer internships on-site at ArcelorMittal.
“ArcelorMittal Steelton has a skilled and dedicated workforce. Many of our employees have spent 20, 30 or even 40-plus years with the mill. In fact, the average age of our Steelton employee is 53,” said Ray Napoli, President of United Steelworkers Local 1688. “The need for highly skilled workers, especially those with electrical and mechanical technical skills, continues to grow as manufacturing companies like ArcelorMittal face vacancies created by retirement. We are pleased to be a part of this exciting partnership to help shape the future of the next generation of steelworkers.”
While the program may result in a career at ArcelorMittal as a Maintenance Technician Electrical (MTE) or Maintenance Technician Mechanical (MTM), Steelworker for the Future is designed to provide individuals with the skills and experience that are desired by manufacturing companies throughout the region.
“Penn State has a commitment to educate the workforce of the future and collaborate with industry in preparing our students for the global marketplace,” said Robert Farrell, interim director of academic affairs at Penn State York. “Through programs like Steelworker for the Future that match the needs of industry with the resources of academia, students will earn a degree and at the same time experience hands-on training to help prepare them for high-tech, well-paying jobs in the growing field of manufacturing. We are proud to partner with ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel company.”
Today’s steelworkers must be technologically advanced and well-trained with a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The success of Steelworker for the Future program depends upon effective connections with high schools, vocational programs and education partners in the region.
“I am pleased that Penn State Harrisburg is participating in this collaboration with ArcelorMittal and Penn State York to provide certificate programs for steel industry employees. This is a wonderful investment in the region, and builds on the strengths of each educational institution to meet the growing needs of one the world’s premiere steel companies,” said Mukund S. Kulkarni, chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Steelworker for the Future program at Penn State Harrisburg and Penn State York. ArcelorMittal Steelton expects to offer 12 internships for summer 2012. The partners expect to have approximately 30 students enrolled in the program by fall 2012.
With support from Mohawk College in Ontario, Canada, ArcelorMittal launched Steelworker for the Future as a pilot program in June 2008 in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College (Ind.) and Prairie State College (Ill.). Currently, approximately 100 students are enrolled in the Northwest Indiana programs and 18 graduates are now ArcelorMittal employees.
Steelworker for the Future is currently available in the following U.S. locations:
— Central Pennsylvania: Penn State Harrisburg and Penn State York
— Greater Cleveland: Lakeland Community College
— Greater Philadelphia: Delaware Community College
— Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland: Ivy Tech Community College (Ind.) and Prairie State College (Ill.)
— Ohio River Valley: Eastern Gateway Community College (Ohio) and West Virginia Northern Community College (W.Va.)
For more information, visit www.steelworkerforthefuture.com.
Steelworker for the Future is one component of ArcelorMittal’s commitment to supporting STEM education initiatives while advancing the company’s workforce development efforts. In addition to Steelworker for the Future, ArcelorMittal supports STEM education initiatives in primary schools where it has local operations to help develop the leaders of tomorrow. ArcelorMittal also provides funding to 13 U.S. colleges and universities through its Campus Partnership Program in an effort to engage with young people interested in careers in the manufacturing sector.