Swiss Automation, Inc. helped to recognize February as National Career Technology Month at Elgin Community College with the donation of a 9-axis computer numeric control valued at over $175,000.

The donation, Swiss Automation, Inc.’s second recent contribution, helps to further distinguish ECC’s Industrial Manufacturing Technology/Computer Integrated Manufacturing program, according to a news release from the college.

Umberto Tinajero, IMT/CIM instructor and program coordinator, created the CNC certification program at ECC and works closely with Swiss Automation, Inc. to match training needs with the increasing demand for a skilled workforce in programming and data manipulation. The Barrington-based company is a leader in precision machining of turned components that serve a number of vital industries nationwide.

“With this equipment, ECC students build a comprehensive career platform with the knowledge and skills they need in hand, making them more marketable and qualified job candidates,” Tinajero said. “With mastery of CNC setup and programming and their CNC certification, students can secure jobs that pay in the six-figures.”

The donation again reinforces a growing relationship between Swiss Automation, Inc. and ECC — the former of which has hired nine students in the past few years and plans to continue recruiting from the college’s graduation pool.

“The Excellence of the CNC program at ECC is unmatched and we share the vision that Umberto has for increasing the capacity to train more operators and programmers who can fill the high-skill needs that our company requires,” said Marc Moran, vice president of operations at Swiss Automation, Inc. “Our ability to grow and further improve the quality of life for our communities is directly tied to ECC’s ability to do the same. We look forward to continuing to support ECC and it’s students.”

For more information about ECC’s IMT/CNC program options, visit Elgin.edu and click on Computer Integrated Manufacturing.