Shirley Learns Advancements In Industrial Field At Educator’s Workshop

“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, Indiana 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.”
“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, Indiana are, from left, Randy Emert, Kennesaw State University; Doug Bowman, 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.”

 

(Vincennes, Indiana) – When it comes to technological advances, one of the fastest growing fields in the world of Machine Tool Technology. One of the top trainers when it comes to industrial science is Georgia Northwestern Technical College 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 Haas Technical Educator Center at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. 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 (NSF/ATE).

“Continuing education in this field is key to landing the best jobs in our region when it comes to machine tool careers,” said 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 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 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, TN).

Partial support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program under Award No. 1501872. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Approximately 14,500 people benefit from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs, making it the largest college in Northwest Georgia and the fifth largest technical college in Georgia. Georgia Northwestern offers classes on-campus or online throughout the year. GNTC serves Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties in Georgia with campuses located in Floyd, Gordon, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties.