2022 - Equipment donation helps gives ECC's CNC training program a competitive edge

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Helping to recognize National Career Technology Month in February is the addition of a 9-axis computer numeric control (CNC) machine donated by Swiss Automation, Inc. The donation, valued at more than $175,000, helps to further distinguish Elgin Community College’s Industrial Manufacturing Technology/Computer Integrated Manufacturing program.

“With the addition of this new machine, ECC is now equipped to offer 2, 3, 3+2, 5, 7, and 9-axis CNC training to our students, which is unrivaled by our neighboring colleges and most community colleges nationally,” said Kyla Wegman, Ed.D., associate dean of sustainability, business, and career technology. “This gift brings ECC close to $1.4 million worth of donations to the IMT/CIM program within the last few years and is invaluable to our students who now have access to state-of-the-art advanced training that gives them a competitive edge as they enter the workforce .”

Umberto Tinajero, instructor of IMT/CIM and program coordinator, created the CNC certification program at ECC and works closely with Swiss Automation, Inc., to match training needs with the increasing demand for a skilled workforce in programming and data manipulation. The Barrington-based company is a leader in precision machining of turned components that serves the aerospace and Defense, Medical and Dental, Firearms, Hydraulics, and Electronics Industries.

“With this equipment, ECC students build a comprehensive career platform with the knowledge and skills they need in hand, making them more marketable and qualified job candidates.,” said Tinajero. “With mastery of the CNC setup and programming and their CNC certification, students can secure jobs that pay in the six-figures,” said Tinajero.

This most recent donation is the second from Swiss Automation, Inc., and reinforces a growing relationship with ECC. The Barrington-based company has hired nine ECC students in the past few years and plans to continue recruiting from the college’s graduate pool.

“The excellence of the CNC program at ECC is unmatched and we share the vision that Umberto has for increasing the capacity to train more operators and programmers who can fill the high-skill needs that our company requires,” said vice president of Operations at Swiss Automation, Marc Moran. “Our ability to grow and further improve the quality of life for our communities is directly tied to ECC’s ability to do the same. We look forward to continuing to support ECC and its students,” said Moran.

For more information about ECC IMT/CNC program options, visit Industrial Manufacturing Program at ECC.