Photos from Owensboro Community and Technical College

Owensboro Community and Technical College offers degrees, programs and certificates in computerized manufacturing and machining, electrical technology, industrial maintenance technology, and welding technology, among other areas of study.

Owensboro (KY) Community and Technical College, one of 16 colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, offers degrees, programs and certificates in computerized manufacturing and machining, electrical technology, industrial maintenance technology, and welding technology, among other areas of study. But what helps set OCTC apart, leaders at the college say, is a focus both on outreach to local businesses to ensure that the skills being taught are the skills in highest demand in the region and on actively, continually engaging students to help ensure they can complete their course of study and advance on their career goals.

Plant Services managing editor Christine LaFave Grace was at Owensboro Community and Technical College and shares highlights in the photo gallery below.


Students in OCTC's computerized manufacturing and machining program receive hands-on training in the school's Advanced Technology Center. OCTC notes that the average wage for a machinist in Kentucky is more than $40,000.


“For us to be an industry solution, we have to be a continuous improvement project,” says Jason Simon, innovation manager of AMTEC. A key part of that is having students train on current equipment utilized by regional manufacturing and industrial facilities.


GO FAME is the Greater Owensboro chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education. Through GO FAME, participating students work three days a week for a local manufacturer while attending attending college for advanced manufacturing training two days a week. GO FAME counts Kimberly Clark, Precision Roll Grinders, Toyotetsu Mid-America and Uniferst among its partners.


"I know that it’s not easy going to school and working full-time, but I’m doing it, too," says Amanda Saam, pictured at right, an OCTC instructor and previous industrial maintenance technology graduate now pursuing her bachelor's degree. Also pictured left to right are OCTC's Jason Simon and Sheri Plain (an Influential Women in Manufacturing 2019 honoree) and recent graduate Tyler Ashton.


Engaging students throughout their educational career, as by offering the chance to participate in the NASA Rover Challenge, is vital in ensuring their success, OCTC leaders say.