Taking time out to stop for a pose during the latest Machine Tool workshops at the Haas Technical Educator Center at Vincennes University in Vincennes, In. are, from left, Randy Emert, Kennesaw State University; Doug Bowen, Vincennes University; Ben Whitener, Athens Technical College; Ed Kishka, Athens Technical College; Phillip Shirley, Georgia Northwestern Technical College Stuart Rolf, Athens Technical College; Jeffrey Friend, Savannah Technical College; and Chris Gibbs, Coastal Pines Technical College.
Officials at Georgia Northwestern Technical College say that when it comes to technological advances, one of the fastest growing fields is in the world of Machine Tool Technology, and they say that one of the top trainers when it comes to industrial science is their Machine Tool program director, Phillip Shirley.
The Canton, Georgia native has been teaching the ins and outs of Machine Tool Technologies for two decades. He recently spent three days at the Hass Technical Educator Center at Vincennes University in Vincennes, In.
Mr. Shirley, along with a group of other Machine Tool instructors from the Technical College System of Georgia, took the trip earlier this month to the Hoosier State by way of a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant.
“Continuing education in this field is key to landing the best jobs in our region when it comes to machine tool careers,” said Mr. Shirley. “Knowing the advances as they come along is what helps my students separate themselves from the competition. So, I try to stay ahead of the curve with workshops and opportunities like the one at Haas.”
This specific training was for C.A.M.P.; a CNC Advanced Multi-Axis Programming training workshop. “We learned the latest on MasterCam multi-axis CNC training,” said Mr. Shirley. “The business and industry department at Vincennes University taught us the latest advances in four and five-axis CNC milling on Haas Machine Tool equipment.”
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offers courses in Machine Tool Technology throughout the year. The TCSG college offers a diploma in Machine Tool Technology and certificates within the Machine Tool Technology program. Classes are on the schedule for each fall, spring, and summer semester at GNTC.
Among the educational awards GNTC’s Mr. Shirley has earned in his career are a diploma in Machine Tool Technology (Chattahoochee Technical College, Ga.), an associate of applied technology degree in machine tool (Dalton State College, Ga.), and a bachelor of science in business management (Bryan College).