News & Upcoming Events
The North Carolina Manufacturing Conference
The North Carolina Manufacturing Conference, MFGCON, will be held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC on Thursday, April 20 – Friday, April 21, 2023. Save $100 by registering before March 19! https://bit.ly/MFGCON2023
HOTEL INFORMATION – The Marriott Downtown Winston-Salem is holding a block of rooms at a special $169/per night rate until March 22, 2023. Reserve you room »
NCMEP Leadership In Manufacturing Awards
The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) honors manufacturers that represent the best of manufacturing through Leadership in Manufacturing Awards.
The award finalists will be revealed at the North Carolina Manufacturing Conference, MFGCON, on April 20-21, 2023 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Manufacturers are invited to self-nominate.
Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2023.
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
- Developing Markets/Economic Development
- Continuous Improvement
- Innovation
- Advanced Talent Management/Workforce Development
- Sustainable Manufacturing
- Community Outreach
- Excellence in Manufacturing
- CEO of the Year
For more information and to register for the conference visit: https://ncmep.org/mfgcon/mfgcon-leadership-awards/
TRACKS-CN CYBER4RAM BADGE: A Digital Badge for Cyber Awareness
As more and more manufacturing facilities become connected, the likelihood that their connected equipment will be hacked increases. The Robotics/Automation and Cybersecurity Knowledge Sharing Coordination Network (TRACKS-CN) team at North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) determined that a FREE digital badge is an effective way to spread cybersecurity awareness to technicians within the realm of Operational Technology (OT) in robotics/automation/mechatronics (RAM).
The 11 competencies covered by the badge were selected from a list of 54 competencies published by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). The 11 competencies are tied to advanced manufacturing. Enroll in the Free TRACKS-CN Cyber4RAM Badge Course »
Rural Works Internship
NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions Regional Managers are championing the placement of NC State student engineers with manufacturers through the RuralWorks! Internship Program. Previous RuralWorks! interns have become valuable assets to their RuralWorks! employers and continued working for the organization throughout the school year and even full-time employment after graduation.
NC State College of Engineering can fund up to 50% of student engineers’ compensation with projects ranging from process improvement, supply chain, quality, data systems analysis, new product development and more. To participate, contact your local regional manager for more information on how to get started »
Reef Systems Becomes Second North Carolina Organization To Become C3PAO Authorized
In the 2021 Fiscal Year, the federal government spent approximately $637 billion on contracts. One of the biggest government contract providers is the United States Military which includes: the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Certification requirements for working with the DoD include organizations needing to certify companies to work for them. Reef Systems Corporation is one North Carolina company addressing the need for businesses qualified for government contract work. Read the Full Success Story »
New Episode: NCMEP Clocking In – Voices of North Carolina Manufacturing
In the February episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz interviews Brooks O’Quinn, the Lillington, NC-based, Boon Edam value stream manager. They will discuss O’Quinn’s manufacturing experience, Boon Edams’s innovative entry solutions, the talent needs for the organization to function efficiently, and more. Listen to the episode »
NCAFE Announces Key Dates for 2023
Based upon the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the North Carolina Award for Excellence (NCAfE) is the top state-level recognition presented to an organization that has demonstrated, through its practices and achievements, the highest level of performance excellence by applying the principles of the Baldrige Excellence Framework. The Baldrige Excellence Framework is the key to accessing if your organization is doing as well as it could. Learn more about the application process and upcoming dates »
Employee Spotlight Interview: Lori Benn
Lori Benn serves as the regional manager for the northeast region, including Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, North Hampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell and Washington counties. She has over 30 years of military and industry experience and strives to ensure all resources are available and work cohesively to help build stronger, more competitive businesses. Find out more about Lori Benn »
Upcoming IES Webinars + Events
IES Webinar – Secure Your Mask First
Motivating Employees in a Post-Pandemic Era and in the Age of Quiet Quitting Webinar
February 15, 2023 @ 9:00 – 10:00 am | ncstateies.com/quietquitting
Discuss reasons for lack of motivation, motivational opportunities, how to achieve better work/life balance and explore ways to keep yourself and co-workers engaged.
Timeout for Safety Open Forum
3rd Wednesday @ 2:00 – 2:30 pm | ncstateies.com/timeoutforsafety
Timeout for Safety, held on the third Wednesday of each month offers a platform for conversations with environmental health, safety and sustainability professionals and provides the opportunity to ask your questions about safety and OSHA regulations.
Manufacturing Meet-Up Conversation
4th Thursday @ 9:00 – 10:00 am | ncstateies.com/meetup
Manufacturing Meet-up provides conversations focused on manufacturing challenges and solutions on the fourth Thursday each month.
IES Webinar – Additive Manufacturing
March 8, 2023 @ 9:00 – 10:00 am | ncstateies.com/additive
Join us to discover additive manufacturing across the Product Life Cycle from Prototype to Production to Digital Business. We will emphasize both existing and future applications.
IES Webinar – Setting SMART Environmental Goals
March 15, 2023 @ 9:00 – 10:00 am | ncstateies.com/SMART
We will discuss the SMART goal framework and how to use it to create more effective environmental goals.
Open Job Positions at IES
Know anyone who may be interested in joining our team at NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)? We’re looking for qualifying individuals for the following positions:
Featured Courses
OSHA 7215 Silica in Construction, Maritime, and General Industries
March 13 | Raleigh, NC
This course covers developing and implementing controls and strategies to prevent or mitigate silica exposures in construction, maritime, and general industries.
OSHA 7120 Introduction to Combustible Dust Hazards
March 15 | Virtual
The focus of this course is to provide private businesses within the general industry with an opportunity to enhance their awareness of the hazards posed by combustible dust. This course will help these industry leaders to gain the knowledge and strategies that can help them to assure employee safety while using or producing materials that generate combustible dust.
OSHA 7210 Pandemic Illness and Workplace Preparedness
March 16 | Virtual
This course describes the recognition of hazards and risks associated with a pandemic illness event and introduces strategies to assist a business, community, or family with realistic preparation for a pandemic event to assure business continuity and employee safety. Information will be provided on strategies that can be used to control the spread of the illness, minimize exposure to employees and family, and offer resources available from OSHA and other government agencies.
ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor Training
March 13-16 | Virtual
April 25-26 | Raleigh, NC
Our experienced instructor will discuss, in-depth, the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard requirements, facilitate hands-on exercises, and provide guidance on how to audit the ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
(NEW!) Auditing Skills for Safety Professionals
May 17 | Greensboro, NC
This course is beneficial for safety and health managers and anyone involved with conducting safety audits or inspections for their organization – plant and facility engineers, maintenance staff, individuals serving on an organization’s safety committee or inspection team, and others who want to sharpen their skills related to hazard identification in the workplace.
Upcoming Courses
OSHA 503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers
March 14-16 | Raleigh, NC
OSHA 7400 Occupational Noise Exposure Standards
March 14 | Virtual
DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Training
March 22-23 | Raleigh, NC
Hazardous Waste Management for Generators
March 24 | Raleigh, NC
OSHA 501 Trainer Course for General Industry
March 28-31 | Raleigh, NC
OSHA 521 OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene
April 4-7 | Raleigh, NC
OSHA 502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers
April 5-7 | Virtual
OSHA 2225 Respiratory Protection
April 11-14 | Raleigh, NC
