KNOXVILLE - A $48,125 grant from DENSO North American Foundation - the philanthropic arm of DENSO, the world's second largest mobility supplier - will help Pellissippi State Community College students become the highly trained workforce this region needs.
An IndustryReady 2.0 grant from DENSO North American Foundation will provide Pellissippi State with the necessary supplies and modules to build three instrumentation and process control training systems, similar to the one shown in the background here, for the college's Electrical Engineering Technology students. From left are Jack Helmboldt, president of the DENSO North American Foundation; Assistant Professor Kristi Leach; Emilie Denson, section leader for Human Resources at DENSO; instrumentation instructor Lane Whiteside; Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr.; and Brian Crawford of DENSO's North American Talent Acquisition Team; image submitted. |
The IndustryReady 2.0 grant will provide the college with the necessary supplies and modules to build three instrumentation and process control training systems for Pellissippi State's Electrical Engineering Technology students.
"Blount County is one of the fastest growing counties in Tennessee in terms of job growth per capita, and employers in the county are adding hundreds of jobs each year, increasing the demand for highly skilled, college-educated employees," said Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr. "Pellissippi State is working to fill that need, and support from partners like DENSO helps us to provide the high-tech equipment necessary for talented students to complete their education and fill these jobs."
The DENSO funding and this new equipment is expected to:
• Enhance the development of essential skills necessary for Blount and Knox county workers to succeed in today's workforce;
• Enhance the college's capacity to offer training that is closely aligned with industry standards; and
• Address the high-demand for Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance and Automated Industrial Systems workers in the region.
"Investing in tomorrow's workforce is critical to ensuring we have individuals who are equipped to help DENSO fulfill its vision of creating software and products that enhance safety and reduce environmental impact," said Jack Helmboldt, president of the DENSO North American Foundation. "Through these grants, we hope to create a generation of innovators who inspire new value for the future of mobility."
This grant, which DENSO officials presented to Wise on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Pellissippi State's Blount County Campus, builds on a $25,000 IndustryReady grant awarded to the college last July.
That DENSO funding allowed Pellissippi State to purchase one instrumentation and process control training system (IPCTS) that provides realistic pressure, level and flow training experiences for the college's Electrical Engineering Technology students with an automation concentration - the very students who often go on to work at DENSO.
The college's two instrumentation classes began using the equipment during the 2019 spring semester.
"Before we had a lot of sensors - to test for levels, pressures, etc. - that worked separately," explained Assistant Professor Kristi Leach. "This system is tying everything together, and it can connect to our program logic controllers."
Leach said she had wanted this equipment since she started teaching at Pellissippi State in 2011. The expense was prohibitive until DENSO chipped in.
Funding for grants such as this one is awarded through the Pellissippi State Foundation, which develops resources to support the educational goals of Pellissippi State. The Foundation provides scholarships and emergency loans to students, improves facilities and secures new equipment for the college.
For more information about the Pellissippi State Foundation, visit www.pstcc.edu/foundation or call 865-694-6528. For more information about Pellissippi State, visit www.pstcc.edu or call 865-694-6400.
DENSO is looking to hire engineering talent across North America, particularly in Tennessee where it recently invested $1 billion as it continues its pursuit to shape and improve future mobility solutions for all. Positions are available in a variety of roles and locations. Those interested in working with new technologies and collaborating with global teams to create safe and efficient vehicles can apply at www.densocareers.com.
