Lorain County's Cutting Dynamics Leverages State Funding to Build a Skilled Workforce

AVON, OH — Cutting Dynamics, a metal fabrication and precision machining company based in Avon, Ohio, has expanded its partnership with Lorain County Community College (LCCC) to launch an apprenticeship program supported by Ohio’s TechCred initiative. The program, now entering its second year, focuses on upskilling the company’s employees in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, giving them an organized pathway to advance their skills and career opportunities.

Angela Carpenter, the human resources manager at Cutting Dynamics, describes LCCC as a longstanding partner. “We wanted additional educational enrichment for our employees, and TechCred is a wonderful opportunity for a return on the investment,” Carpenter said. While some employees had already been attending LCCC classes independently, the company saw the value in offering a structured apprenticeship program to enhance their mechanical expertise.

Ohio’s TechCred program provides funding to help companies upskill their workforce with technology-focused training, and LCCC is an accredited provider. With the college's involvement, Cutting Dynamics employees can participate in courses that align closely with their work responsibilities, covering areas such as AutoCAD, mechanical drawing, and industrial blueprint reading.

Cody Gibson, 35, is one of the employees benefiting from the program. A longtime employee, Gibson joined Cutting Dynamics nearly two decades ago as a general laborer while still a student at Lorain County Joint Vocational School, where he earned a certificate in precision machining. Over the years, he has advanced to a CNC setup and operator role, working on products for industries ranging from medical to aerospace to automotive. However, the apprenticeship program has provided him with new insights and technical skills. “A lot of classes are directly applicable to what I’m doing every day,” Gibson explained. “Being shown how to do something on the job is different than learning the reasons why those steps are in place.”

For Carpenter, the apprenticeship program doesn’t just develop technical skills but also paves the way for career advancement. She notes that apprentices who complete the program and reach journeyperson status will find broader career paths open to them. “The apprenticeship path has more steps, but it allows them to open up their options—to be foremen, to be supervisors, to be trainers. It opens up a heck of a lot of doors that might have been a little harder to open otherwise,” she said.

Gibson, a resident of Oberlin and father of two, sees the program as a stepping stone toward his long-term goal of becoming a trainer. Balancing apprenticeship coursework with his work and family life has been challenging, but he says support from Cutting Dynamics and guidance from LCCC advisors have been instrumental. Michelle Pawlak, one of the LCCC advisors, visits students at work or on campus, streamlining processes by delivering textbooks and course materials directly to them. “It’s extremely helpful having an advisor guide you through the process, especially because I’m an older student,” Gibson said.

Cassandra Tenorio, program developer for LCCC Business Growth Services, highlighted the college's commitment to adapting to the needs of local employers and their employees. “The Business Growth Services staff is always ready and willing to help our employers navigate their training needs and funding streams to support those needs,” she said. “And with State initiatives like TechCred, the opportunities are endless.”

Carpenter is already considering additional apprenticeship programs with LCCC to meet the evolving interests of Cutting Dynamics’ workforce. “It’s only going to continue to grow from here,” she said. “We have other pathways that we would like to open up based on the interests of some of our workers. We will open those pathways, and we will continue to grow.”

Manufacturing employers interested in exploring TechCred training opportunities at LCCC are encouraged to contact the college at workforce@lorainccc.edu.