Manufacturing

PHASE I, II, & III PROGRAMS

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturers across Wyoming have a critical need for up-to-date trained workforce. The advanced manufacturing programs, with the leadership of Manufacturing Works, have partnered with local manufactures to identify those needs and build a curriculum and program to train a qualified workforce. Further, Manufacturing Works will utilize WIP to increase skill-based training for Wyoming manufacturing companies and provide agile resources to up-skill the current workforce and prepare students. This support will allow Wyoming businesses to pivot as necessary and fill workforce needs as they arise.

Manufacturing Consortium

Casper Cobot

Manufacturing Works

EMPOWERING WYOMING'S WORKFORCE

PHASE II KEY METRICS

Manufacturers across Wyoming face a critical need for a modern, well-trained workforce. Alongside new or strengthened advanced manufacturing programs, partnerships with local manufacturers have also been established to identify workforce needs and develop targeted curricula. Utilizing the support of the WIP, these programs focus on enhancing skill-based training for manufacturing companies, providing agile resources to upskill the current workforce, and preparing students for future demands. This support enables Wyoming businesses to adapt and meet evolving workforce requirements efficiently.

PHASE III KEY METRICS

Manufacturing in Wyoming is growing, and the WIP is making sure the state’s workforce is there to tackle the challenge. Community colleges across the state are enhancing curricula, investing in advanced equipment, and providing hands-on learning opportunities in areas like CNC, robotics, automation, and advanced materials. Outreach programs are engaging K–12 students and the broader community, while programs such as Manufacturing Works are building strong partnerships with local businesses to address workforce gaps, provide industry-recognized credentials, and upskill current employees. The overall purpose of these efforts is preparing students and workers for the demands of modern manufacturing and supporting the growth and competitiveness of Wyoming’s manufacturing sector.

MANUFACTURING

MANUFACTURING CONSORTIUM

Advanced Manufacturing remains a significant component of Wyoming’s economic diversification strategy. In order to successfully grow existing businesses, as well as attract new businesses to the state, it is imperative that contemporary training opportunities are readily available to prepare a skilled workforce to meet the demand.

Riverton, Sheridan, and Cheyenne represent strong communities with a diverse manufacturing base that is growing steadily. As part of this collaborative proposal, Central Wyoming College (CWC), Sheridan College, and Laramie County Community College (LCCC) propose to advance a cohesive pipeline of advanced manufacturing training available in the southeast and north central regions of the state, thus helping to close skill gaps for the manufacturing industry as it advances into the future.

Central Wyoming

Central Wyoming College is working to provide effective trainings their Workforce Training Department, rather than sending individuals from each company out of state to obtain the same training CWC can bring to the area. LCCC will partner closely with CWC to deliver these trainings, and the community colleges have also coordinated efforts to work with UW Makerspace 307 and Manufacturing Works throughout this process, engaging their resources and assistance as needed.

Key trainings that will be offered include:

Solid Works I, II, and III
Industry 4.0
3D Modeling
Lean Manufacturing
Low Voltage Electrical
Additive Manufacturing
Supply Chain
Workplace Readiness
Cybersecurity

Sheridan College

Sheridan Colleges has been working for over two years to address manufacturing workforce training. The program is a culmination of recommendations and efforts from Sheridan College leadership, industry leaders, and manufacturers across the state. Manufacturers in Sheridan County especially have asserted their need for trained individuals to enter their workforce.

Employment projections from Lightcast indicate that in Sheridan County, available manufacturing jobs will grow by 44% over the next ten years; the more advanced markets within manufacturing demonstrate as much as 95% growth within that timeframe.

Sheridan College plans to:

Recruit and maintain a highly trained advanced manufacturing staff and faculty to deliver curriculum and training.
Enhance and build an advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline by equipping Sheridan College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences Center with state-of-the-art technology.

Laramie County Community College

The Stage II Advanced Manufacturing and Material Center project at LCCC proposes the identification and purchase of equipment to replicate and provide teaching and certifications in a real-world, smart computer-integrated, work-based learning manufacturing environment. This Smart Manufacturing equipment includes training elements such as industrial maintenance, robotics, control software, and quality control which will be supported by a robust e-learning system which allows for traditional, hybrid, and remote learning scalability options. These options are necessary to meet the needs of the high school and adult learning communities targeted in this proposal.

Key elements of the proposed training will include:

Simulation of manufacturing using real, full-size industrial equipment
Utilization of systems and programs used to manufacture real products
Processing with advanced manufacturing components used in smart factories and Industry 4.0
Flexible manufacturing environment for students to practice and research:
Flexible Mass Production
Predictive Maintenance
System Integration and Automation
Integrated machining, robotics, PLC automation, MES software, smart sensors, IoT, data analytics, and
Alignment with curriculum and teaching labs that lead to certification/credentials.

Training and certifications will include both micro credentials in areas such as Robot Operator and Programmer along with industry recognized NIMS certifications in Industrial Maintenance Technology and Industry 4.0 Smart Production.

MANUFACTURING

CASPER COBOT PROGRAM

Casper College is working to enhance the current Manufacturing Technology and Automation degree by incorporating hybrid CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) technician and cobot (collaborative robot) work environments into the curriculum. This project aims to integrate advanced manufacturing and automation technology into small to midsize enterprises (SMEs) while exploring opportunities for larger runs of production in new markets such as aerospace and medical technology.

The scope of the project includes:

purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment such as a 5-axis machining center, cobots, 3D metal printer, and a CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine)
development of a curriculum for higher-ed students in manufacturing certificates and degrees, future CTE (Career and Technical Education) teachers, and grades 6-12 CTE students through Natrona County School District BOCES articulations and dual enrollment courses taught at Casper College.
use of zSpace as a recruitment and outreach strategy to provide students with career exploration opportunities and exposure to the advanced manufacturing industry. zSpace empowers students, particularly those at risk, to "learn by doing" in a safe virtual environment where it is easy to undo mistakes, iterate and collaborate with other students and teachers; providing hands on, differentiated learning experiences thereby promoting, supporting and strengthening inquiry-based learning skills.

The curriculum development will ensure that students receive training on the latest technology and tools in advanced manufacturing, including programming and operating cobots and other automated systems. This training will help students gain the skills necessary to succeed in the modern manufacturing industry and help meet the demand for skilled workers.

WIP AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

MANUFACTURING

MANUFACTURING WORKS

Casper College is working to enhance the current Manufacturing Technology and Automation degree by incorporating hybrid CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) technician and cobot (collaborative robot) work environments into the curriculum. This project aims to integrate advanced manufacturing and automation technology into small to midsize enterprises (SMEs) while exploring opportunities for larger runs of production in new markets such as aerospace and medical technology.

The scope of the project includes:

purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment such as a 5-axis machining center, cobots, 3D metal printer, and a CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine)
development of a curriculum for higher-ed students in manufacturing certificates and degrees, future CTE (Career and Technical Education) teachers, and grades 6-12 CTE students through Natrona County School District BOCES articulations and dual enrollment courses taught at Casper College.
use of zSpace as a recruitment and outreach strategy to provide students with career exploration opportunities and exposure to the advanced manufacturing industry. zSpace empowers students, particularly those at risk, to "learn by doing" in a safe virtual environment where it is easy to undo mistakes, iterate and collaborate with other students and teachers; providing hands on, differentiated learning experiences thereby promoting, supporting and strengthening inquiry-based learning skills.

The curriculum development will ensure that students receive training on the latest technology and tools in advanced manufacturing, including programming and operating cobots and other automated systems. This training will help students gain the skills necessary to succeed in the modern manufacturing industry and help meet the demand for skilled workers.