S.C. auto summit: Clemson collaborations helping drive the state’s economy

GREENVILLE, SC – February 17, 2012 – Automotive and aviation engineering have become anintegral part of the state’s economy. Central to the success of theseindustries is an applicant pool rich with qualified technicians andengineers, Clemson University’s associate vice president for workforcedevelopment said Friday.

Speaking at the 2012 S.C. Automotive Council’s Manufacturing Summit,Anand Gramopadhye said employers have jobs to fill, but they need aqualified workforce.

In partnership with technical colleges and industry in three keyregions and funded by a $2.3 million National Science Foundation (NSF)grant, Clemson created the Clemson University Center for WorkforceDevelopment in aviation and automotive technology. The center will driveworkforce development by providing technicians for the state’s key newmanufacturing industries in areas that most need labor with specificskills.

“These programs are vital for workforce development in SouthCarolina,” Gramopadhye said. “If South Carolina is going attractmanufacturers to the state it must develop qualified technicians withcertificate programs these companies need.”

The partnership created satellite resource centers at threelocations: Florence-Darlington in the Pee Dee, Greenville in the Upstateand the Charleston area of the Lowcountry.

The program’s focus brings national certificate programs and othermodules to a wide audience of automotive and aviation techniciansthrough virtual classrooms and personalized learning.

“Clemson’s role in workforce development is to help provide a talentpool to enable these key South Carolina employers remain competitive inthe marketplace by extending the education pipeline through K-12,”Gramopadhye said.

The two-day auto summit at the Embassy Suites Golf Resort andConference Center featured remarks by Gov. Nikki Haley, state CommerceSecretary Bobby Hitt, and representatives from across the auto industry.The summit included a tour of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), including the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center.

Speakers Friday included William Strauss, senior economist andeconomic adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and U.S. Sen.Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who spoke in a videotaped message.

South Carolina has become one of the world’s leaders in automotiveresearch and is encouraged by the collaboration of business, academiaand the public sector, Graham said.

“Whether it be state, local or federal governments, we’re all onboard for trying to create a good environment and grow jobs in theautomotive sector, he said.

The summit’s lineup of Clemson speakers was completed by industrialengineering professor Bill Ferrell. He works closely with industry onresearch, and to formulate degree and certificate programs, such as amaster of engineering online program for full-time employees.

Through the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center’sCenter for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution, Ferrellcollaborates with research universities and companies nationwide onprojects from supply chain and logistics to transportation. Industrymembers fund research with the aim of improving their operations, withbasic research findings available to all.

“What all these projects have in common is student involvement,”Ferrell said. “These are real-time projects with real-world applications— and Clemson students are involved throughout.”