TraINING education &training

As building begins with a solid foundation, likewise there are building blocks core in the planning and preparation for fulfilling employment needs. The groundwork has already begun for the 4,000 skilled employees needed for Panasonic’s new battery manufacturing plant in the northeast portion of Astra Enterprise Park. The Workforce Training Consortium (WTC) has been created to address the need to train and prepare candidates for the opportunities at Panasonic. The WTC, led by Johnson County Community College, has been meeting since last fall to plan their strategy.

Astra Enterprise

Park/Panasonic

and

Flint Commerce

Center infrastructure projects: expand water treatment facility expand wastewater treatment capacity construct new water tower near Panasonic construct new fire station next to Panasonic transportation improvements

• Edgerton Road

• 103rd Street / Lexington Avenue

• Lexington Avenue Interchange

• Sunflower Road

• 83rd Street & Lexington Avenue Corridor

The City of De Soto I Designing De Soto held an excellent and informative Open House on January 25, 2022, in the City of De Soto Senior Center. Representatives from many entities were available for questions and discussions. A wealth of information was made available to the public.

• 95th Street

“Governor Laura Kelly tapped into Johnson County Community College (JCCC), and asked them to take the lead,” informed Jack Harwell, consultant for JCCC. Harwell was hired by JCCC to manage the project and coordinate efforts between the WTC members. With over 35 years of experience in international manufacturing, including working in a Japanese telecommunications factory located in the U.S., Jack is well positioned to understand Panasonic’s skill requirements.

The WTC members are Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center in Lawrence, and De Soto United School District 232. “We believe high school graduates and college students with technical training will be some of the best sources for skilled workers. Besides developing the classes required to teach these skills, we will also make sure these courses are available to adult learners from all walks of life,” shared Harwell. The group is working with representatives of Panasonic to understand the factory job descriptions and to determine the skills and competencies needed. They will then begin course development and build the framework for delivery, with the first training expected by the summer of 2024. Harwell suggests that students should consider enrolling in Career and Tech Education classes to get an early start. For more information, contact customizedtraining@jccc.edu or Elisa Waldman, Vice President of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, JCCC at EWaldman@JCCC.edu

Learn more about Designing De Soto and detailed growth information: https://www.desotoks.us/305/Designing-De-Soto

• Download the City of De Soto I Designing De Soto 12-page handout. Scroll down to Materials & Handouts/Designing De Soto Handout

• View video from the recent open house with the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Department of Health & Environment Bureau, Environmental Remediation, Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College, Northwest Consolidated Fire District, USD 232, and the Business Development / Kansas Department of Commerce.

USD 232 had the unexpected foresight of building Cedar Trails Exploration Center (CTEC), which opened in 2021. CTEC provides Real World Learning in Emerging Technologies, Bioscience, Design and Industry Partnerships. This will be a valuable source in providing education and training in De Soto’s school district. Contact Kevin Jeffries, Real World Learning Business to Education Coordinator, USD 232 at Kjeffries@usd232.org or visit https://www.usd232.org/domain/4349 for more information.

–interview with Jack Harwell, consultant, JCCC written by Rose M. Burgweger, editor/publisher