5/24/2010 - Itawamba Community College Instructor Receives 2010 MMA Award for Excellence in Vocational Education
BILOXI, Miss. (May 21, 2010 ) — Barry Emison, tool and die technology instructor at Itawamba Community College (ICC) in Tupelo, is the recipient of the 2010 Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA) Award for Excellence in Vocational Education. The award was presented today during the MMA annual convention at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino by Don Mason, MMA 2009-2010 chairman of the board.
Emison was named the 2010 MMA Vocational Education Award recipient largely because of his extensive involvement with manufacturers locally and throughout the United States to improve ICC’s tool and die program curriculum and secure job opportunities for program graduates. Emison has secured apprenticeships and job placement for students with companies that include Subaru of Indiana, Toyota in San Antonio, Texas, and MartinRea Fabco in Shannon.
Working closely with Toyota and other manufacturers, Emison has modeled ICC’s curriculum on a German apprenticeship program. In addition, he has altered the class day to more closely resemble an industrial work day (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), and has increased the class time devoted to skill development rather than lecture.
Toyota officials have claimed that the ICC program is “producing graduates unmatched in any other tool and die program in the country.”
My heart and soul lie within the realm of vocational education,” said Emison. “I do not, however, believe that my job should only take place within the confines of my classroom. I am willing to work with any manufacturer within the United States or abroad in order to learn and make my program better. I am continually learning and working to bring in the best equipment and tools to offer my students and the best learning situation possible.”
It is important that our educators work with industry to provide the specific skills training necessary for our people to succeed in their jobs,” said MMA President and CEO Jay C. Moon, CEcD, FM. “Not only do workers need basic skills to be successful in the workplace, they also need continuous training in order to keep up with revolutionary advances in technology.
“In many cases, companies are working with educators, as with Mr. Emison and Itawamba Community College, to give students a better understanding of how their skills are being used in a real-world setting,” he said.
“Barry Emison has been instrumental in restructuring ICC’s tool and die program so that our students will have a significant advantage in the job market,” said ICC President David C. Cole. “We appreciate his commitment to Itawamba Community College’s students by providing not only the skills that they need but also ensuring that they are equipped to position themselves in a global workforce. MMA’s selection committee made an excellent choice.”
Emison has an associate’s degree in tool and die technology from ICC and a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Mississippi State University. He is currently working toward a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. He also has more than 26 years’ experience in machining/CNC programming. He is proficient in AutoCAD, MasterCAM, SolidWorks, CAMWorks, OneCNC, and G and M code programming.
The MMA Award for Excellence in Vocational Education was established in 1994 to encourage, recognize and reward individuals who are active in advancing vocational education in Mississippi. Nominations for the award are made by the MMA membership, and the winner is selected by an evaluation committee appointed by the MMA Workforce Development Committee. In addition to a cash award and plaque, Emison received a complimentary trip to the 2010 MMA annual convention in Biloxi, where he was recognized for his accomplishment by MMA members.
PHOTO: MMA chairman Don Mason, right, presents the 2010 MMA Award for Excellence in Vocational Education, to Barry Emison, tool and die technology instructor at Itawamba Community College, during the MMA annual convention in Biloxi May 21, 2010.
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