Manufacturing Instructors Attend NIMS Workshop in Tennessee

Manufacturing Instructors traveled from all sides of the state to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to attend a one-day NIMS Instructors Workshop.  Eleven instructors, some traveling over 280 miles, met at Blackman High School to learn about NIMS.

The eleven attendees were; Mitchell Whitworth, Carroll County Technical Center, Donald Belcher, Oak Ridge High School, James May, Benton County Career Technical Center, Billy Fox, Morgan County Vocational Technical Center, Elliott GeFellers, Greene County Center for Technology, Gary Leverette, Shelbyville Central High School, Richard Skipper, Coffee County High School,  Wayne Fuson, DeKalb County High School, William S. Wilson, McMinn County Vocational Center, Rusty McKnight, Crockett County High School, and Dennis R Smith, Southern North High School.

Susan Oakley, NIMS Accreditation Manager, conducted the workshop where Instructors were familiarized with the NIMS Standards and introduced to the NIMS online test center.  Ms. Oakley also explained the requirements and procedures for a manufacturing training program to earn NIMS accreditation.

All eleven instructors then took and passed the theory exam for the Measurement, Materials, and Safety credential.

Donald Belcher, instructor at Oak Ridge High School, in Oak Ridge, TN, was impressed with the NIMS standards and credentials. “I hope the state of Tennessee will embrace the NIMS system, Mr. Belcher said, “The State is re-working the Manufacturing curriculum and I would like to see it based on NIMS.”

Murfreesboro served as host to the annual Tennessee Carrier and Technical Education Conference.  The NIMS workshop was offered as a part of that conference.

Mr. Belcher echoed the sentiment of much of the industry and technical education. “It’s important that we have certifications and accreditation in the manufacturing field or we’re not going to make it.”