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ICC wins national award for manufacturing camp

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT), the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International, hosted its inaugural awards gala in Fox River Grove, Illinois, October 24, 2019. The event recognized those who share a passion for manufacturing and want to ensure its future with a thriving skilled workforce. At the event, Itawamba Community College (ICC) was awarded the Future of Industry Award for its Tek2Go Advanced Manufacturing Camp.

ICC, along with partners Hawkeye Industries and Community Development Foundation (CDF), has hosted the Tek2Go Advanced Manufacturing Camp for students the past 11 years and for teachers the past four years.

NBT provided the first grant to get the student camp started in the Tupelo region in 2009. NBT offered an additional grant for the first teacher camp in the summer of 2016. Currently, both camps are funded through the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund and held at the Manufacturing Solutions Center at ICC’s Belden campus.

Tek2Go camps are designed for middle school students in grades six through eight and K-12 teachers in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc and Union counties. Participants in both camps are exposed to advanced manufacturing concepts through hands-on activities, metal projects and industry tours.

“Culturally, manufacturing is perceived to be dirty places to work for low wages. The most rewarding thing the camp has accomplished is changing this perception for our students and teachers. It has allowed them to experience the quality of the work environment and skill level required for lifelong careers which our local manufacturers provide in our community,” said Barry Emison, Dean of Career and Technical Education at Itawamba Community College.

“This is an innovative approach for our local students and teachers to be introduced to career opportunities and gain a hands-on experience of the workforce skills needed in our manufacturing industry. Over 250 students and teachers have been impacted by these Tek2Go camps. This would not have been possible without NBT, the Toyota endowment fund and camp partners, Itawamba Community College and Hawkeye Industries,” said Community Development Foundation Chairman Sam Pace.

“National recognition is something that the greater Lee County area is no stranger to, and this award is no exception. It is yet another testament to the successes which can be achieved when local people work together for a common purpose and a noble cause to benefit its citizens and the surrounding area. When education is the primary benefactor, everyone wins,” said Bryan Hawkins, president and CEO of Hawkeye Industries, past NBT board chair and longtime supporter and partner of the Tek2Go camps.

 



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