Business : Hawkeye Community College Hosts Cedar Valley Manufacturing Conference October 16

Hawkeye Community College is excited to announce the 2024 Cedar Valley Manufacturing Conference on October 16, a free, must-attend event for manufacturing professionals, educators, and individuals interested in the future of Industry 4.0.

Event: 2024 Cedar Valley Manufacturing Conference
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St, Waterloo, Iowa.
Registration: Free (register online at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/manufacturing-conference)

The event will feature keynote speaker Jim Wall, founder and director of the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA). A leading expert in Industry 4.0, Wall will discuss how advanced technologies are transforming industries and creating opportunities to upskill current workers while training new talent for high-paying careers in advanced manufacturing and energy. He will also highlight how communities can leverage industry-driven micro-credentials to accelerate workforce training, enabling workers to earn credentials while progressing toward two- or four-year degrees.

In addition, the conference offers several sessions on critical industry topics, including:

• The Importance of Cybersecurity Training, featuring insights from Wade Greening of the FBI on protecting manufacturing operations from cyber threats.

• Building a Pipeline of Advanced Manufacturing Workers in Iowa, focusing on strategies to attract, train, and retain talent, with insights from Amatrol and Moss Enterprise.

• Integrating the Employee Voice, exploring how to involve employees in decision-making to improve workplace culture and operations, with Stuart Bass of ProgressWorx.

"Hawkeye Community College is committed to preparing students for the future of manufacturing," said Kent Wolfe, director of Hawkeye's Automation and Robotics Center. "With Industry 4.0 shaping the workforce of tomorrow, Jim Wall's expertise will be invaluable to our employers and students as we expand our training programs to meet these emerging needs."

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain valuable knowledge about the technologies and strategies for today's manufacturing.

For more information, email staci.kramer@hawkeyecollege.edu or call 319-296-4223.