SSOE Group’s Owens Community College Dana Center Project Receives Excellence in Workforce Development Award from Ohio Economic Development Association

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Owens Nominated by SSOE for this Prestigious Award

TOLEDO, Ohio, December 15, 2020 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), a global project delivery firm for architecture, engineering, and construction management, is proud to announce that their Owens Community College Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center project has been awarded the 2020 Annual Excellence in Workforce Development by the Ohio Economic Development Associations (OEDA). This award recognizes unique approaches to any aspect of workforce development and acknowledges an organization that has developed innovative practices and programs.

“The Annual Excellence Awards showcase the best of the best in economic development and gives members of the profession the opportunity to collectively celebrate the success of the economic development profession,” Jennifer Price, OEDA Executive Director, said.

The Dana Center focuses on expanding and preparing new and incumbent skilled workers in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The 59,000 square-foot facility features six skilled technology labs, including computer-aided design (CAD); computer numerical control (CNC) and manual machining; electrical; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and alternative energy; mechanical and pneumatics; and robotics and programmable logic controller (PLC).

Owens was nominated for the OEDA award by SSOE’s Higher Education Architect and Training Center Specialist Tim Swartz, AIA, NCARB. SSOE’s design team, led by Tim, combined its higher education and manufacturing facility design experience to incorporate the latest manufacturing trends into the new Owens’ Dana Training Center. SSOE performed architecture, civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing engineering, fire protection, technology, communications, security design, interior design, and loose furnishings design on this project.

“We are pleased to have been recognized by the OEDA for the College’s commitment to workforce development. The Dana Center represents the College’s latest significant investment to directly impact Northwest Ohio’s regional economy,” stated Bill Balzer, interim president, Owens Community College. “A skilled workforce is critical to fill thousands of new and existing jobs in manufacturing and aligned careers throughout our region and the state. The Dana Center was specifically designed to meet these needs now and well into the future. We thank Dana Incorporated and other supporters for joining us in meeting the region’s training needs for the new and incumbent workers for decades to come.”

Extensive global automotive and manufacturing experience combined with nationwide higher education expertise made SSOE the right choice for the project which included the renovation of an existing high bay building. The firm has completed thousands of industrial projects and has kept pace with this dynamic industry by working alongside experts in the field. The application of the knowledge they have gained will result in the delivery of a teaching and training facility for Owens that truly reflects today’s manufacturing environments. Simulation of real-world working environments will allow students to be prepared for success as they complete their courses and enter the workforce.

For more information visit: https://www.ssoe.com/markets/workforce-development/

About SSOE Group

As an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, SSOE is known for delivering unparalleled client value that advances the AEC industry. They have been named a “Great Workplace” (Great Place to Work®) and one of the “Best AEC Firms to Work For” (BD+C).

Over the company’s 75-year history, it has earned a reputation for providing quality project solutions to high-tech and general manufacturing clients in the semiconductor, automotive, battery, food, chemical, and glass industries. SSOE also provides forward-thinking design across healthcare and general building sectors such as corporate workplace, education, and judicial—with projects completed in 40 countries. Visit www.ssoe.com for additional information and career opportunities.

Media Contact:
Jenni Roder
(419) 469-1918
(419) 351-6480 cell
jroder@ssoe.com