Redlands Community College and CL Boyd are partnering to create seamless career opportunities for students in the Industrial Automation Applied Technology program. This collaboration establishes a direct pipeline from education to employment, offering students the chance to earn college credit, complete their associate degree, launch their professional careers, and receive significant financial support for their education.

"This partnership represents our commitment to providing students with real-world opportunities that directly translate their classroom learning into career success," said President Jena Marr of Redlands Community College. "We're excited to offer our Industrial Automation Applied Technology students this direct pathway to employment with a respected industry partner like CL Boyd. This collaboration ensures our students graduate not just with knowledge, but with immediate career prospects and the financial support to achieve their educational goals."

Established in 1913, CL Boyd is a John Deere Construction equipment dealer for 30 counties in central, southern and western Oklahoma. The partnership between Redlands and CL Boyd provides students enrolled in Redlands' Industrial Automation Applied Technology program with access to employment opportunities at CL Boyd upon meeting program requirements. Students participating in this partnership will have the unique opportunity to simultaneously advance their education and begin building their professional experience in the rapidly growing field of industrial automation.

In addition to direct employment opportunities with CL Boyd, this innovative partnership provides students with the ability to earn college credit for technology center program completion, a clear pathway to complete their associate degree in their field of study, entry into their professional career, and up to $6,000 in tuition reimbursement through CL Boyd's investment in their education.

To qualify for reimbursement, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout their coursework, successfully complete each semester of study, complete all required Redlands coursework, meet established work performance requirements at CL Boyd, and successfully complete CL Boyd's Technician Apprentice Program.

Blayne Taylor, Director of Customer Support at CL Boyd, emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership: "We're excited to partner with Redlands to develop the next generation of skilled technicians. This program allows us to identify and cultivate talent early while providing students with the support they need to succeed both academically and professionally. Our investment in these students through tuition reimbursement reflects our commitment to building a strong, skilled workforce that will drive our industry forward."

To learn more about the application process and requirements, students should contact Macey Scotten, coordinator of Strategic Partnerships at Redlands, at 405.422.1264 or macey.scotten@redlandscc.edu.