North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) has been awarded an Innovative Technology Grant from the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR). The AGCO Corporation Seeding and Tillage facility, located in Beloit, Kansas, provided the required dollar-for-dollar industry match in the amount of $35,000 and will work in partnership with NCK Tech to provide workforce training for welding production workers.

The grant provides funding to expand the College’s welding program, with an emphasis on robotic welding, to help address the shortage of trained and qualified welders in the region. Grant funds will be used to purchase an ABB IRB140 Robotic Welder, operating software and licenses for RobotStudio5 training. NCK Tech offers a one-year welding program on both the Beloit and Hays campuses and a new robotic welding course will be added to the existing curriculum. “This grant funding is an excellent opportunity for NCK Tech to partner with AGCO for workforce training and we sincerely appreciate AGCO’s willingness to provide matching funds and serve on our advisory committee for curriculum development and program training”, said Eric Burks, NCK Tech President. “Students completing the program will make a significant impact on welding workforce demand in the region and the state”.

“I would like to express my appreciation to Governor Brownback and Kansas Board of Regents for their support of enhancing the community through education to its citizens,” said Ron Harris, VP of Operations- Beloit. “Access to technical education facilities offering modern programs such as Robotic Welding, will provide a highly skilled workforce, and will have a positive impact on manufacturing in the State of Kansas.”