IGNITE the future manufacturing workforce; new BHC program seeking work-based learning sites

IGNITE, a new micro-credential program to be launched by Black Hawk College (BHC) this fall will introduce high school students and adult learners to Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 skills, careers and the many opportunities available to them. In turn, manufacturers across the QC region have an opportunity to actively partner in building a sustainable workforce for the future.

“Local business engagement early in the process is critical. The work-based elements provide candidates an overview of the industry and also allow companies to established connections with a highly-skilled candidate pool,” said David Ottavianelli, Workforce Project Manager for Deere & Company.

IGNITE: Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing, is a program developed by the Department of Defense and Amatrol to address future workforce needs. It is an eight-week quality pre-apprentice program that combines classroom curriculum, online learning, hands-on application and work-based learning to give high school and adult students an introduction to advanced manufacturing skills including electrical torque control, hydraulics, CNC machining, robotics, tension belt maintenance principals and safety principals.

“From there a high school student can decide what path they want to take and enter subsequent programs and continue learning more. For adult students it is a great way to gain the basic skills they need to be successful in entry-level roles in assembly and advanced manufacturing,” Ottavianelli said. BHC also has created career pathways for all IGNITE students to advance their education and training through certificate and two-year degree programs.  

Deere & Company pitched IGNITE to BHC in 2019, and while the college wanted to launch the program it was unable to secure a grant to purchase the needed equipment. Last year, Safer Foundation asked the college to partner on a grant and a program that would help its client’s skill or upskill into high-demand and high-wage careers. IGNITE was a perfect fit, said Black Hawk College’s Dean of Economic and Workforce Development, Richard Bush.

“This is an opportunity to serve Safer Foundation participants and K-12 partners who have advanced manufacturing-related programs, like CNC, welding, among others. It provides a foundation for advanced manufacturing for people interested in the field and allows them to try it and find out if they like it before they get too far into it,” Bush said. “IGNITE combines career exploration and critical skills development. They will hone their manufacturing skills while building the soft skills employers want,” he added.

The program also will be offered to veterans, existing BHC and adult continuing education students, as well as area employers for their existing workforce. “We will open this up to anyone who wants to learn more about advanced manufacturing,” Bush said.

Deere & Company worked with Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa, to pilot the IGNITE program last year. Ottavianelli said 56 high school students and adult students enrolled. It was incredibly successful, he said, adding many of the high school students chose to continue their education in a registered high school apprenticeship or other programs. “For adult learners who complete the course the placement rate into full-time employment has been greater than 80%,” he said.

Bush said community partnerships and work-based learning availability are critical to this program and in meeting future workforce needs. In the past three years, he has discussed the program with the Quad Cities Chamber, high schools in the region, businesses, non-profit organizations and state legislators to garner support and share information about the program and its potential impact.

“The IGNITE program at Black Hawk College is a great opportunity to develop and retain talent in our communities,” said the Chamber’s Talent Manager Emily Codling. “As a community, it’s important that we not only develop new talent, but we keep that talent in our community. The Chamber recognizes how important a program like this is to the future growth and expansion of our region’s businesses,” she added.

Bush said he needs employers to partner with BHC to offer work-based learning opportunities. “Deere & Company does that in Waterloo and will do it here as well, but we will need more business sponsors,” Bush said, inviting anyone interested in learning more to contact him.

“A community-wide effort involving multiple businesses makes this a sustainable effort,” Ottavianelli said. “If we get more people and more younger students interested in these types of careers it will help fill the pipeline that we have struggled to fill in the past. This sustainable pipeline will help all businesses in the QC and could be a catalyst for future growth,” he said.

Ottavianelli encourages businesses across the region to join that effort and become an IGNITE work-based learning site. “It is an established program that gets students and adults ready to add value to their company right away,” he said.  

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