Photo: Ford Motor Company
Ford and the United Automobile Workers revealed the updated UAW-Ford Technical Training Center this month, with the facility undergoing a total renovation after the automaker’s $35 million investment. The TTC will allow Ford to provide cutting-edge training for hourly employees, boosting operational efficiency at its manufacturing facilities while simultaneously improving employee safety. The UAW-Ford Technical Training Center will also be the new home of the skilled trades apprenticeship program.
What it Can Do: The 2019 Ford Ranger leads its class in capabilities
“We are embracing advanced technologies in all of our manufacturing plants, helping us to become more efficient and produce even higher-quality vehicles for our customers,” said Gary Johnson, Ford chief officer, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs. “The UAW-Ford Technical Training Center allows our people to support technologies and equipment critical to keeping our plants running and provides opportunities for hourly employees to use their intelligence, skills, and experience to recommend additional improvements.”
The focal point of the TTC are advanced technologies that are becoming increasingly necessary for skilled trades apprentices, including drones, robotics, and 3D printing. To achieve this, Ford turned to its Advanced Manufacturing team to pinpoint the technologies that needed UAW-Ford Vice President Rory Gamble notes that training skilled trade apprentices and employees on these technologies not only makes them more proficient in the short term, but it also ensures better job security moving forward. spotlighted and replace the centers infrastructure, tech, and equipment.
The UAW-Ford Joint Apprenticeship Program will also now call the TTC home. Since its launch in 1941, approximately 30,000 people have graduated from the three-to-four-year program. To complete the Joint Apprenticeship Program, journeypersons must spend 576 hours in the classroom and 8,000 hours in the shop, ensuring absolute expertise.
New from Ford: 2019 Ford Edge offers high-octane performance with first-ever ST variant
Photos: Revamped UAW-Ford Technical Training Center Revealed
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.