Back row (L to R): University of Arkansas- Pulaski Tech Machining Instructor Nicholas Speer, North Arkansas Community College Instructor Thomas Wood, BRTC Machine Tool Technology Instructor Dr. Rick Barker, and University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Instructor Loyd Barry.
Front row (L to R): Arkansas Tech Career Center Instructor Marcus Smith, National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Instructor Mike Blizzard, and Precision Machining Technology Instructor Todd Smith from Ozarka College.
Black River Technical College (BRTC) hosted National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Instructor Mike Blizzard who taught six instructors from across Arkansas the ins and outs of NIMS accreditation. .
NIMS accreditation is the nation’s only distinction for excellence in manufacturing training as based on NIMS industry-written, industry-approved standards. Accredited programs demonstrate the ability to produce skilled, work-ready individuals that fulfill industry’s 21st Century workforce needs, according to nims-skills.org.
Instructors present were BRTC Machine Tool Technology Instructor Dr. Rick Barker, Machining Instructor Nicholas Speer from the University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech, Precision Machining Technology Instructor Todd Smith from Ozarka College, Thomas Wood of NorthArk Community College, Automation/Robotics Instructor Marcus Smith from Arkansas Tech Career Center, and Welding Instructor Loyd Barry from University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.
All six instructors passed the 11 credentials offered during the training. “It allows us to teach those credentials to our students and test them, so they can be accredited as well,” said Barker.
“If an employer sees these credentials on a student’s resume they will move that resume to the top of the pile, then it’s up to them to prove it,” Blizzard said.
The BRTC Machine Tool Technology program consists of a wide variety of machining. Machinists and Toolmakers design and create prototypes, fixtures, jigs, and tooling/dies from which most metal and other manufactured items are made, which includes large heavy machinery to small hand tools. Working in a modern, fully-equipped machine shop, students in the machine tool technology program gain the knowledge and skills needed to cut, machine, mill/turn, metals and 3d print polymers/carbon/onyx when regarding NIMS assigned projects.
This high-precision trade requires development of high demand skills in the use of hand tools, precision measuring instruments, testing equipment, and basic, automatic, and computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) machine tools and programming. The program also covers heat treating tool steel and alloying material, as well as accident prevention, leadership, and quality control.
For more information on BRTC”s Machine Tool Technology program contact Rick Barker at (870)248-4139 or by email at rick.barker@blackrivertech.edu.