The theme of the 2021 SME Manufacturing Expo is: "Connecting the Regional Manufacturing Network" explained Jeff Briggs, SME member and Regional Director, California Community Colleges (CCC) Advanced Manufacturing North Region (Edu2Mfg). "Instead of arranging tours at local manufacturers, we are encouraging industry, educators and students to come together at the Expo," said Briggs. The Manufacturing Expo will be held on National Manufacturing Day, Friday, October 1 at the Rancho Cordova City Hall, located at 2729 Prospect Park Dr.

Briggs indicated that businesses and organizations can sign up now to be exhibitors. "There are many benefits to being an exhibitor," said Briggs. "Increase sales to local companies, recruit employees and connect with high school and college faculty members who are building the pipeline of future employees. National Manufacturing Day celebrates our robust manufacturing sector in the Sacramento region and makes the public aware of the innovation taking place and positive economic impact."

Learn more about how exhibitors can maximize the impact of supporting this event at the Expo website and register to attend.

On Tuesday, July 27, Pete DeLosa, Manufacturing & Product Development teacher at Golden Sierra High School, hosted Career Technical Education instructors from three community colleges and four high schools. The event was arranged by the CCC Advanced Manufacturing North Region and supported by Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVMA). Delosa provided an overview of his program and described how his equipment and lab are set up.

In addition, the group discussed some burning education topics and participated in a couple of the mini challenges that DeLosa uses with his students, explained Steve Dicus, California Community College North Region Advanced Manufacturing initiative.

"Our host, Pete DeLosa, had us each participate in a 'design and make' challenge that he uses with his students," said Dicus. "We were given a single piece of 8" x 10" card stock and tasked to design and construct a bridge or structure that could span 36" or more. All the participants had unique solutions for their designs."

According to Dicus, the instructors were most engaged in sharing the "how to" of their teaching methods, explaining how they select and use equipment, and describing techniques for guiding students in developing advanced manufacturing skills.

DeLosa indicated that he appreciated the efforts of Dicus to make this collaboration with other manufacturing teachers possible. "Thanks to Steve for all his efforts to organize us," said DeLosa. "I have learned so much from these events and Shop Talk calls with other Career Technical Education (CTE) instructors. I had a great time hosting today's event and I'm looking forward to visiting other schools."

Find more information on the Golden Sierra Manufacturing & Product Development program.

The lab tours this summer were such a success that Edu2Mfg plans to hold more on the second Saturday of each month, announced Jeff Briggs, Regional Director, California Community Colleges (CCC) Advanced Manufacturing North Region (Edu2Mfg).

The Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVMA), the Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center (CAJ) and the CA Mobility Center (CMC) are hosting the region's first manufacturers only job fair on August 20, 2021. The event will be held at Charles A. Jones, 5451 Lemon Hill Ave., Sacramento CA 95824 from 10 am to 2 pm in the school's auditorium.

Companies that are interested in recruiting talent and connecting with industry partners should sign up now to participate in the manufacturing career fair. To sign up for a booth, email Dean Peckham, Executive Director, SVMA or call 916-508-0892. Current students and recent graduates from the CAJ Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program will also attend.

Companies and participants can discuss career opportunities in the industry and the various paths to enter the field, explained Jeff Briggs, CCC Advanced Manufacturing, North Region. "Students and those considering a career change are encouraged to attend to learn more about local, well paid, hands-on careers where employees can see the results of their labor," said Briggs. "Sacramento manufacturers produce food shipped globally, medical devices that save lives, components used in the transportation industry and innovative energy efficient products."

According to Dean Peckham, the fair will be open to the general public. "SVMA's partnership with CAJ is the cornerstone of our workforce development efforts to develop a motivated and well-trained workforce to meet our region's workforce needs," said Peckham. "Join us and meet the amazing staff at Charles A. Jones. We will also be offering tours of the Regional Manufacturing Training Center at 2 pm."

As a result of teachers' enthusiasm for the in-person lab tours hosted by colleges and high schools this summer, Jeff Briggs announced that Edu2Mfg and SVMA will continue to support these events during the school year. The plan is to offer a monthly tour on the second Saturday of the month. To get on the invitation list or to offer to host the group, contact Steve Dicus.

Aaron Pecho, Assistant Principal, John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento, announced that the district is in the process of actively recruiting for the open CTE position in Manufacturing and Design.

"The prospective CTE teacher would lead the Manufacturing, Engineering and Design pathway including a nationally recognized robotics program," said Pecho. "We are looking to grow the program and expand access to students. Our site has all of the bells and whistles that come with the need of the program."

The NextFlex virtual conference on August 3-5 will dive into the next generation of electronics and how it will be used to solve real world problems. Sessions include:

The conference is supported by major national universities and industry partners. Learn more at NextFlex.

On Thursday, July 29, Drew Bias hosted CTE instructors at Folsom High School's new "State of the Art" Manufacturing & Product Design facility. There were 14 participants representing Los Rios and Sierra College Community College districts as well as seven school districts including: Black Oak Mine USD, EL Dorado HSD, Elk Grove USD, Folsom Cordova USD, Roseville JUHSD, San Juan USD and Western Placer USD. A representative from industry partner, Selway Machine Tool Company, also attended.

The event was organized by Jeff Briggs and the California Community College North Region Advanced Manufacturing initiative with SVMA to attract diverse educators and partners, offer hands-on learning experiences and build the local teacher community, explained Steve Dicus, Edu2Mfg. "Besides sharing 'best practice' ideas and equipment information, each participant had the opportunity to make a 3 1/2" cube," said Dicus.

"The walls of the cube were 1/8" steel," said Dicus. "The hollow centered cube was made of six sides with each side having a different dot configuration; numbered 1 to 6. On one surface of the 1/8" flat stock, a CNC 3 axis mill and a 1/4" end mill were used to scribe the 1/2" DIA x 1/16" deep dot(s) on each piece. The sixth piece each had a different number of dots: 1 to 6. The six sides were then welded together, creating the cube. This was followed by corners and edges being ground smooth."

The lab is so new that equipment was being delivered during the tour. Learn more about the Manufacturing & Product Design program at Folsom High School.

The Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance (SVMA) is building its social media community. Get connected by following and interacting online.

The Charles A Jones (CAJ) Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program has been evolving for over two years, according to Dean Peckham, Executive Director, Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVMA).

"The CAJ Pre-Apprenticeship Program is just the first step towards the SVMA Apprenticeship Program, leading to credentials as CNC Machinists, Precision Welders, Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, Quality Assurance Technicians, Electromechanical Technicians and Textile Manufacturing Technicians," said Peckham. "This has been a labor of love for many of us, creating opportunities for adults who may have never heard of manufacturing career pathways until they were introduced to Charles A Jones."

The most recent cohort from the CAJ Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduated at the end of July. Learn more by contacting Mike Bell at (916) 432-0741 or go to CAJ.

On July 13, 2021, Rob Haworth, teacher at Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, hosted CTE instructors at a gathering supported by Edu2Mfg and SVMA. The purpose was to tour the lab and share projects to give everyone fresh ideas to enhance their practice and engage students in skills that can lead to manufacturing careers, explained Jeff Briggs, Regional Director, California Community Colleges (CCC) Advanced Manufacturing North Region (Edu2Mfg).

According to Haworth, the get-together would provide an opportunity to discuss tools and equipment. "I shared my experience with small machines -- good and bad," said Haworth. "I told the group about my experience with the PathPilotHUB online controller for Tormachs -- that was a huge win during COVID."

As part of the program, Haworth explained the Laguna Creek High School process for designing and machining parts. "I have the whole Titan Building Block Series saved as good G-code on each of our machines," said Haworth. "During the tour, I walked everyone through our machine operation, tool selection, tool offset measurements, material prep and then Op1 & Op 2 for everyone. Along the way, I showed the other teachers how I've organized our tooling and tool library." Learn more about the Laguna Creek Manufacturing program.

Craig Todd of Pleasant Grove High School reported that the training was excellent. "The training really put a lot of things in perspective and I appreciated that it was hands-on," said Todd. "I enjoyed Rob's insight and enthusiasm."

Check out the Laguna Creek High School Manufacturing Production Technology Academy video.

On Friday, August 27 and Friday, September 17, 2021, there will be an advisory series on emerging occupations in:

These cross sector events will examine occupations in Energy, Construction, and Utilities (ECU), Advanced Transportation and Logistics (ATL) and Advanced Manufacturing.

As California makes the switch to widespread electric vehicle transportation, the Greater Sacramento Region is working to ensure that training programs keep pace and provide access to traditionally disinvested populations.

The first advisory will feature innovative practices from other colleges, examine existing inventory of training programs in our region, and present labor market and occupational trends in this rapidly changing field.

In the second advisory, a panel of employers and industry will discuss current and emerging skills needed across the range of electric vehicle related occupations.

Contact Valley Vision Project Associate Danielle Susa with any questions or for more information.