Tulsa Technology Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

Industry 4.0 is the turning of a technological era, a new Industrial Revolution. This significant change is one that converges advanced manufacturing production and operational tactics with intelligent digital technology to create an enterprise that is interconnected and autonomous but can also communicate, analyze, and employ data to drive autonomous action in the physical world. It represents the ways in which smart, connected technology will become embedded within the organization and is made possible by new technology such as robotics, machine learning and analytics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, wearables, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, and new materials. In short, Industry 4.0 will change how we produce, obtain, and distribute products and services in the future. This project is designed to prepare a globally competitive manufacturing workforce that will enable current Oklahoma companies to take advantage of these advancements and provide a competitive advantage to the state in efforts to attract new advanced manufacturing jobs.

EVIDENCE

According to a recent survey conducted by the Site Selectors Gild, 87% of respondents reported that manufacturing is the most impacted by workforce shortages, and nearly half of respondents said that workforce shortages will be the new norm. In the same survey respondents were asked to list the states who have successfully instituted talent attraction and retention strategies, but Oklahoma was not among those identified. Chris Lloyd, Chairman of the Site Selectors Guild and Senior Vice President and Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development at McGuireWoods Consulting reported that companies are identifying significant workforce shortages and unprecedented rising labor costs.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This program will provide no-cost training to underemployed and unemployed individuals who are seeking employability skills in an industry sector that pays above-average wages and benefits with long-term employment opportunities. Communities throughout Northeast Oklahoma will benefit through the exansion and attraction of advanced manufacturing in the region.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Program success will be measured utlizing key indicators that are collected through follow up surveys from students and employers. Graduation / Completion Workforce Engagement Rate of Graduates Related Placement Rate of Graduates Graduate Wages State retention of Graduates Employer Satisfaction Employer Economic Impact

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma