Manufacturing Engineering Education Program

Manufacturing Engineering Education Program - Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense

The “Ohio Manufacturing Talent Expansion for the Defense Industrial Supply Chain” Office of Naval Research Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) grant is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD). Tri-C is included in the consortium of five educational institutions and FlexFactor, headed by Lorain County Community College, that will address short- and long-term needs for production and technician workers at Ohio companies serving the defense industry.

The goal of MEEP is to create pathways through accelerated training programs for the next generation of skilled workers in additive manufacturing, industrial welding, industrial maintenance, precision machining technology and mechatronics. Tri-C will receive funds over a three-year period to establish or enhance educational programs that support manufacturing engineering education.

Nurturing and growing U.S. manufacturing capacity through MEEP will allow our country to maintain its technological advantage and ignite the next generation of manufacturing talent.

MEEP will include offerings for middle- and high-school students, military veterans and adults retraining for the workforce. Adult accelerated programs will expand career opportunities in cutting-edge areas such as additive manufacturing and flexible electronics, and will help participants build and strengthen important shop-floor skills like welding and machining.

Middle and high school projects focus on promoting careers in manufacturing and engineering through NextFactor’s FlexFactor program. FlexFactor’s curriculum promotes product development and entrepreneurship with students in grades 6 to 12. 

The MEEP project team will facilitate the curriculum in partnership with local high schools and create open enrollment summer camps for middle school students at Tri-C beginning in summer 2021. In addition, participants will participate in college days at Tri-C and an industry day with a local partner.