Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the 2024 State Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Champion is Putnam Career & Technical Center for their project with Toyota West Virginia.
Representing the Kanawha Valley Region, Putnam Career & Technical Center’s Project Lead the Way Engineering Class developed a method for preventing a potential ergonomic issue in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation installment process of the Short-Block Sub-Assembly for Toyota West Virginia.
PCTC team members: Ben Smith, Cole Richardson, Hayden Miller, Henry Foster, Nick Winter, Sam Edgemon, and Tanner Foster.
Education Leader: Cheryll Roberts.
Toyota support team: Ben Underwood, David Newberry, and George Gannon.
“Congratulations, Putnam Career & Technical Center Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Team! Their hard work and professionalism throughout the competition has paid off,” said Executive Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing Program’s efforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas. “The Explore Team is deeply appreciative of the commitment Toyota West Virginia provided to the team and the Manufacturing Innovation Challenge. Their enthusiasm and engagement have a positive impact on PCTC success.”
Explore's Manufacturing Innovation Challenge is designed to allow high school student teams to solve real-world manufacturing problems faced by West Virginia manufacturers. Each challenge is unique and can come from various aspects of the company's operations. Students learn how problem-solving skills are a critical element to job performance. The challenge concludes with a formal team presentation, after which students and manufacturers discuss the feasibility of implementing the solution. The experience illustrates how teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills are used to implement the industry's solutions.
