Greenville Technical College and Renishaw, Inc. establish the Center for Manufacturing Innovation as Renishaw’s Southeastern Training Center

Greenville Technical College and Renishaw, Inc. (“Renishaw”) have signed a Training and Facilities Services Agreement (“Agreement”) that establishes Greenville Technical College’s Center for Manufacturing Innovation (“CMI”) as Renishaw’s Southeastern Training Center. Thanks to this Agreement, Renishaw and Greenville Technical College customers and students will have access to formal technical training using Renishaw equipment.

Courses will cover basic metrology using a laser interferometer, introduction to basic metrology using the telescoping ballbar, and getting started with the QC20-W ballbar. All of these tools are used in advanced manufacturing to measure parts to ensure they conform to specifications.

Renishaw has been part of the Center for Manufacturing Innovation since its first year of operation, the first additive manufacturing collaboration between Renishaw and a technical college in the United States. Renishaw has committed both staff and equipment to CMI, training future and current manufacturing professionals on the latest technologies including the company’s automated probes and additive manufacturing system.

Since the Center for Manufacturing Innovation opened in 2016, it has helped to create awareness of opportunities in the advanced manufacturing sector with nearly 10,000 middle and high school students exposed to programs and careers in this sector in the last year alone. Enrollment in programs offered at CMI has grown rapidly, with a 12.78% enrollment increase in mechatronics, machine tool, and manufacturing-related continuing education programs this fall over last fall.

This semester, Greenville Technical College added a Bachelor in Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing Technology to the curriculum at CMI, preparing graduates to assume technical and managerial leadership positions in the growing global manufacturing sector, which drives South Carolina’s economic strength. The new degree gives Greenville Technical College improved ability to meet the workforce needs of industry.

“We are pleased to grow our relationship with Renishaw to the benefit of the Upstate manufacturers depending on the Center for Manufacturing Innovation as a workforce development resource,” said Kelvin Byrd, interim director for the Center for Manufacturing Innovation. “This partnership enhances training access to state-of-the-art equipment for students, faculty, and customers.”