Volvo Construction Equipment’s Shippensburg, Pa., plant has entered into a partnership with the Franklin County Career and Technology Center in nearby Chambersburg to establish a mechanical assembly training program for students and the local workforce. The program, which will teach the principles of assembly and lean manufacturing, will allow students to gain hands-on exposure to assembly techniques in a manufacturing environment.

FCCTC executive director Keith Yorn told the Shippensburg Herald-Mail that the partnership with Volvo “will allow us to put a program in place that will create a pipeline of qualified assembly workers for local manufacturers.”

The material and equipment needed for the program will be purchased through Volvo’s donation of $50,000. Volvo is also offering manufacturing expertise by assisting with the course structure and curriculum design.

Andy Williford, vice president of human resources for Volvo CE called the program a “win-win partnership for the community and local manufacturers.”

Volvo announced in March that it will invest $100 million into its Shippensburg facility over the next two years, in a move that will create more than 200 additional jobs for the local community over the next couple of years. Volvo is also moving its Volvo Rents program to Shippensburg.