The American Technical Education Association will recognize Gateway Technical College's boot camp training program with its inaugural “Innovative Best Practices” award at the 53rd Annual ATEA National Conference ceremony March 10 at Orange Beach, Ala.
In its announcement, the awards committee said “Gateway and Robin Hoke have created a model that can change the technical emphasis or occupational emphasis as needed for employers and has moved from government funding to private funding-innovative best practices.”
Hoke is director of business development in Gateway’s Business and Workforce Solutions division.
“Since 2005, many talented individuals, workforce development partners and local businesses have developed a responsive program aligned with industry needs to help people obtain a job, and remain in it,” says Hoke.
Gateway began offering boot camps in 2005. They are 14-week to 20-week training session held in a concentrated, rigorous platform simulating the workplace. The program provides the necessary knowledge of foundational technical skills and manufacturing best practices for participants to secure a semi-skilled, entry-level position in computer numerical control machining, welding fabrication or industrial repair and maintenance. The program targets unemployed and underemployed workers to help them gain the skills for employment.
