Workforce Training Programs

This 24-hour, week-long course gives students a broad introduction to the world of advanced composites, with a focus on carbon fiber reinforced epoxy systems. This course is offered in a lecture/lab setting with a 30/70 split, respectively. Students will cover lecture topics such as basic measuring, layup notation, science, and math skills required to be a composite technician. In the lab, students will perform five hands-on lab projects covering the fabrication skills and techniques (including leak free vacuum bags!) needed to perform basic pre-impregnated layup and wet layup processes. Chemical and lab safety as well as foreign object debris (FOD) awareness is always practiced. These skills are essential to manufacturing composite parts in the aerospace field. Successful completion of this single-course program meets the requirements to earn the Composite Technician Onboarding Workforce Microcredential.

As a result of this training participants will be able to apply safety habits and prevent hazards in the workplace; fabricate a composite parts using tow-preg, wet-bath winding, and roll wrapping using shrink tape; read part travelers and follow operating procedures; apply industry vocabulary for advanced composite manufacturing; and evaluate scientific principles related to composite materials.

This 80-hour course meets over a four- or five-week period. As a result of this training students will be able to explain the basic components, functions, and terminology of injection molding machines and molds, explain the basic concepts behind part and mold design; develop mold protect procedures; install and pull molds from injection molding machine platens; and demonstrate basic math for molders. Successful completion of this single-course program meets the requirements to earn the Injection Molding Tech I Workforce Microcredential.

This 24hr program is taught over 3 consecutive 8hr days. As a result of this training, students will be able to create and test secondary, co-cure and co-bonds with proper surface preparation and various pressure applications; explain the compatibility of adhesives between metals, plastic, composites and core materials; demonstrate the application of PPE and power tools to trim and sand cured composite structures; and practice flat and curved layups using the pre-preg process.

This 80-hour course meets over a four- or five-week period. As a result of this training, students will be able to create processing procedures for multi-cavity molded parts by applying principles of scientific injection molding; explain basic injection molding press functions and parts; apply industry-specific math concepts; and interpret graphs related to injection molding machine parameters. Successful completion of this single-course program meets the requirements to earn the Principles of Scientific Molding I Workforce Microcredential.

This 24-hour, in person and online hybrid course gives students a broad introduction to the world of advanced composites, with a focus on carbon fiber reinforced epoxy systems. This course is offered in an online at home lecture/on campus in person lab setting with a 40/60 split, respectively. Students will cover lecture topics such as basic measuring, layup notation, science, and layup techniques required to be a composite technician. In the lab, students will perform 3 hands-on lab projects covering the fabrication skills and techniques (including leak free vacuum bags!) needed to perform basic vacuum infusion processes. Chemical and lab safety as well as foreign object debris (FOD) awareness is always practiced. These skills are essential to manufacturing composite parts in the aerospace field. Successful completion of this single-course program meets the requirements to earn the Infusion Composite Technician Workforce Microcredential.

This 24hr program is taught over 3 consecutive 8hr days. As a result of this training, students will be able to create and test secondary, co-cure and co-bonds with proper surface preparation and various pressure applications; explain the compatibility of adhesives between metals, plastic, composites and core materials; demonstrate the application of PPE and power tools to trim and sand cured composite structures; and practice flat and curved layups using core materials with the vacuum infusion process.

Secondary co-cure and co-bonding Adhesive compatibility between metals, plastics, composites and core materials Part finishing Wet layups with core materials

24hr course taught over 3 consecutive 8hr days. Participants will learn the basic skills and scientific principles required to use the wet layup process to fabricate Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) parts. 8 hours of this course will be lecture, and 16 hours will be hands-on labs.

This 24hr course is taught over three consecutive 8hr days. As a result of this training, students will be able to fabricate a plug from an existing object and wet layup a composite mold using the plug; identify the properties and performance trade-offs of various composite tooling materials; explain the principles of mold design; and demonstrate the correct use of in-mold coatings. 90% of this class will be hands on lab time, while 10% will be lectures.