The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $15,000 to Stark State College for its Barberton, Ohio, Satellite Center. A $10,000 grant this year and a $5,000 donation in 2012 were made on behalf of PPG Industries’ optical and specialty products manufacturing facility in Barberton.

“We greatly appreciate PPG’s support of the Barberton Satellite Center, which was created to add needed work-force development in the area,” said Stark State College president Dr. Para M. Jones. “The goal of this school is to prepare students for careers that are aligned with needs in the local area and beyond, so it’s very valuable to form partnerships with local employers such as PPG.”

PPG partnered with the city of Barberton and the Barberton Community Foundation to help Stark State College bring the satellite center to Barberton. The center features state-of-the-art equipment for welding training and offers a range of academic classes leading to two-year associate’s degrees in several disciplines. It makes education for manufacturing and technology careers more accessible and affordable to area residents, Jones said, adding that enrollment has been robust since the center’s January 2013 opening.

“PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, especially through educational initiatives that help grow the manufacturing work force,” said Ted Ladd, PPG plant manager at the Barberton facility. “With the Barberton Satellite Center, Stark State is helping increase the pool of workers with increased competency and maintenance skills who can fill and retain important roles at PPG’s and many other companies’ local facilities.”