NFPA Partners on Fast Track to Fluid Power Program

Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan is set to be the National Fluid Power Association’s third Fast Track to Fluid Power hub school in spring 2022, NFPA recently announced. 

The NFPA Fast Track program helps facilitate connections between local technical colleges, industry partners, and high school teachers in select communities across the country to strengthen fluid power education and career development.

 With support from NFPA, Macomb will create a dedicated fluid power certificate and present fluid power career pathways through school counselors and teachers. Secondary school students will be encouraged to attend open houses and other outreach events with their parents and participate in hands-on activities. Students will engage in opportunities to earn certifications through the International Fluid Power Society. 

NFPA member companies with facilities in Michigan can benefit greatly from the partnership with Macomb. Once the program launches, NFPA members in the region can network directly with fluid power students who will soon be entering the job market. 

NFPA is in talks to establish a fourth Fast Track hub at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa.

The Fast Track hub stacks four necessary program components within the community: 

• A middle school outreach program to raise fluid power education awareness 
• A high school education program to develop initial competencies 
• A two-year tech school degree program to deliver the skill sets NFPA members are looking for 
• A network of industry partners with facilities near the community to provide mentorship to students and jobs to graduates 

NFPA launched its first Fast Track hub school in 2018 with Waukesha County Technical College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and its second in 2019 with Triton College in River Grove, Illinois. The long-term strategic goal is to build 12 of Fast Track hubs in communities around the country where fluid power companies are prevalent. 

To get involved with the Fast Track program, email azignego@nfpa.com. For more information, visit www.nfpa.com/.