Mercer County Commissioners Help Purchase FANUC Robot

Tri Star Career Compact would like to thank the Mercer County Commissioners and the West Central Ohio Workforce Development Initiative (WCOWDI) for their generous contribution toward the purchase of the FANUC Robotics Certified Robot to be used in Tri Star’s Rec Tech program. Their contributions also enabled Jerry Kohnen, Tri Star’s REC Tech instructor, to take the coursework required to become a certified FANUC instructor.

The new robot will allow Tri Star students to become FANUC certified which will save them each over $3,000.00 in additional coursework. “This will allow our students to be trained on the most updated equipment in the field and it is a great opportunity for our students,” stated Kohnen.

Mercer County Commissioner, Greg Homan, said, “We were impressed by the innovative and industry relevant equipment the students now have the chance to gain skills from. The students, showing us how the new robotic equipment works, were genuinely enthusiastic about learning and preparing for jobs here in Northwest Ohio.”

Angela Hamberg, representing WCOWDI, explained that “The WCOWDI partners are happy to be able to make a contribution to the career tech training that the FANUC robot will provide to the program. It is important for our students to be able to gain experience on equipment utilized by our local manufacturers”. Mercer County Economic Development Director, Jared Ebbing agreed and added, “From an economic development perspective, this is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate on the new equipment that will most certainly have a positive and long term impact on Tri Star and our business community as a whole.”

Pictured in the REC Tech classroom (above right (l to r)): Jared Ebbing, Angela Hamberg, Commissioners Rick Muhlenkamp, Greg Homan and Jerry Laffin. Kneeling (Tri Star students l to r): Carl Ott, Spencer Sybert, Emma Johnsen. Standing: Ryan Klosterman, Nathan Hemmelgarn, and Lucus Slife