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WORDS: Jessica Schubick
Now in its second year, the
Advanced Manufacturing and
Production Technology program
at Manatee Technical College (MTC)
is creating something special for the
Manatee County area: a skilled workforce
for the future. The program provides
students with a broad foundation and
specialized skills in the manufacturing
industry with the application of automation
technology and quality control in
manufacturing, engineering, and robotics.
That means that during the 600-hour
program, students get training in robotics,
fiber optics, pneumatics, hydraulics,
lasers, CNC (computer numerical control)
machines, and welding technology.
The course’s instructor, Gil Burlew,
explained that his focus is not only on
teaching the students manufacturing
technology skills, but life skills. He strives
to set his students up for success in the
real world. He said: “I have the greatest
career in the world. I get to shape the
future. When these students come
here, they have opportunities you don’t
have anywhere else. MTC is the place
to be. You won’t see students at other
schools doing what my students are
doing. They’re not learning by sitting at a
computer in nice little rows. They’re doing
real world problem solving – solving hightech
problems – and I think that’s what is
really unique about this program.”
Gil stressed that industry is moving more
and more towards collaborative robotic
technologies – with technicians working
side-by-side with robots. He sees this
as an opportunity for the U.S. and for
our community. He said: “The U.S. went
from being one of the top producers of
manufactured products, to being one of
the lowest. It’s a shame.”
While so many manufacturing jobs went
overseas in the past few decades, this
paradigm shift towards robotics may
help to bring manufacturing back to
the U.S. - and Gil thinks our community
will be prepared for it. He explained:
“The biggest mistake they ever made
in education was taking vocational
training out of schools, but we’re trying
to bring it back.” He noted that Manatee
County is one of only a few places that
offers technology education as early
as elementary school and continues it
through middle and high school.
A Hands-on,
Minds-on Philosophy
One reason for the singular experience
ava i labl e in MTC’s Advanced
Manufacturing program is Gil’s palpable
passion for the program and for preparing
his students for success. Gil approaches
his curriculum with what he calls a
“hands-on, minds-on” philosophy. He
said: “I believe that when your hands are
on something, your mind is on something
and you’re engaged in what you’re doing.”
And Gil continued: “When you leave here,
you leave prepared for a career. The word
‘job’ is not in our vocabulary. We’re looking
for careers for our students – and the
industry is looking for that, because there
is such a need in industry right now for
high-skilled learners that have high-tech
knowledge before they even get to the job.
“We can not only guarantee that they’ll
have the knowledge and skills, but we also
guarantee that the people we put out will
show up on time, will work collaboratively
with other people – and with robots – and
make things happen for that company.
As that company grows, we expect our
students to grow with that company – so
really it’s a win-win situation.” He added
with a smile, “Our business partners all
want our students; they’re chomping at