Standing (l-r) Michael Russo, Sylvester Lewin, James Durand and Durval Afonseca;
seated is Dennis Sena and making a key point is instructor Bob Larrabee (far right)

   NEIT's Center for Technology and Industry (CTI) recently completed a training contract with the Manufacturers' Partnership (MP) to provide training for Polytop Corporation. Manufacturers' Partnership is an association of Rhode Island based manufacturers, such as Polytop, who share the belief that workforce training is crucial to being a world-class competitor.
  Since 1957, Polytop has been supplying the packaging industry with an ever-increasing selection of precision-molded dispensing closures. In an effort to support its Slatersville, RI manufacturing operation, Polytop implemented a comprehensive in-house education program entitled, "Automation Technician". There were many unique and related topics that were incorporated into the curriculum, such as Windows applications, mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry), robotics and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). NEIT was selected as the training partner for the PLC section. The college's Electrical Technology department conducted the 20-hour PLC training course at Polytop's facility.
   The Electrical Technology department's instructor, Bob Larrabee, was impressed by the performance of the students in his class. According to Bob, "Many of them had little or no prior training at all in the electrical field. To make this task even more challenging, this particular subject is one that even skilled electricians can have difficulty with. That did not deter this group. They deserve a significant amount of credit. Without exception, they were committed to learning, cooperative, inquisitive, enthusiastic and appreciative of the investment on their behalf made by Polytop."
   Polytop also recognized the efforts and accomplishments made by their employees. In a very fitting and appropriate conclusion to the overall training program, Polytop honored the "Automation Technician" graduates by hosting a commencement ceremony. Company executives, supervisors and faculty welcomed and paid tribute to the graduates. From all of us at NEIT, we offer the distinguished graduates our congratulations.