KCTCS NEWS RELEASE -- for immediate release
Contact: Jackie Bondurant, (859) 246-3219
KCTCS Center for Excellence Benefits Louisville Ford Plant
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 24, 2004) - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Center of Excellence in Automotive Manufacturing was spotlighted recently at the Ford Assembly Plant in Louisville.
U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, R-3rd District, toured the facility and heard a presentation from John Tankesley, plant manager, and Bruce Day, United Auto Workers Local 862.
The Louisville Assembly Plant, which makes the Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac and Mercury Mountaineer, improved its productivity by nearly 4 percent last year. It produced a vehicle for every 23.45 hours of work, down from 24.32 hours in 2002.
One reason for the increase in productivity is Jefferson Community and Technical College and the KCTCS Center of Excellence.
"Without the help of State and Federal Government along with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Louisville Assembly Plant would not be able to achieve their goal to move from mass production to lean production," John Tankesley, plant manager of the Louisville plant, said.
Tankseley praised both the Jefferson college and Madisonville Community College for "leading our transition."
"Training was a big factor to our success in moving from ninth in Quality to Number 1 for the year 2003," Tanskeley said. "Our warranty for one month service is the best ever, thanks to our partnerships."
"The primary objective of the KCTCS Center of Excellence in Louisville is to enhance the skills and talents of Ford workers such that they are more productive and the plant is globally competitive," said KCTCS President Michael B. McCall.
Kentucky has the nation's third highest level of auto-industry-related employment in the United States, totaling approximately 165,000. The Kentucky auto industry, including spin-off employment, generates $5.5 billion in wages and benefits.
KCTCS officials are working with Congressman Northup and Governor Ernie Fletcher to secure a federal appropriation from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) within the FY 2005 Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.
"Funds will be used to enhance our response to a demand driven workforce," said Jefferson CTC President Anthony Newberry. "Our faculty will have access to visualization tools and technology that will train workers for the highest levels of equipment and skills."
In partnership with Toyota Motor Manufacturing, KCTCS colleges are poised to serve as state-of-the-art teaching and learning centers for faculty and skilled trades, such as automotive manufacturing. KCTCS college courses and programs are aligned with specific training needs and partner with the states postsecondary and secondary institutions to provide a seamless career-ladder in the automotive industry.
KCTCS is serving as a national leader in the development of stereographic presentation technologies that utilize 3D visualization technologies to fully immerse and engage the learner in ways previously only available through military training.
This teaching application provides in-depth technical enhance instruction and dramatically shortens the "learning cycle" saving employer financial resources and strengthening the overall quality of the workforce.
KCTCS colleges change lives by providing academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.