North Carolina’s Randolph Community College will use a $100,395 grant from the Dart Foundation to purchase equipment for its computer-integrated machining (CIM) and advanced manufacturing programs. The addition of the new equipment means the college can serve more students and incorporate new projects to enhance students’ knowledge of quality control with precision measuring, leading to more students earning National Institute of Metalworking Skills Level One Credentials.
Also in North Carolina, Forsyth Technical Community College’s Electrical Lineman Training Institute is getting an upgrade thanks to a $95,844 donation from Duke Energy. The program will use the funds to replace worn equipment and to help connect graduates with potential employers.
“The strategic partnership between Duke Energy and Forsyth Tech for the education of the next generation of electrical linemen is an excellent example of business-college collaboration for workforce development,” said Forsyth Tech President Gary Green.
Alabama
Calhoun Community College’s Nina Bullock, program director for additive manufacturing, and Dean of Technologies John Holley. (Photo: Calhoun)
Calhoun Community College is among five colleges and universities worldwide — and the only community college — to receive additive manufacturing equipment from GE Additive. The Concept Laser Mlab 200R machine, valued at $250,000, will be used in Calhoun’s additive manufacturing program. The machine uses lasers to melt layers of fine metal powder and create complex geometries with precision directly from a CAD file.
“We are the only community college in the state of Alabama that offers a degree in additive manufacturing,” said Nina Bullock, program director for additive manufacturing at Calhoun. “This machine will certainly help to advance our program and provide even greater opportunities for our students to gain very valuable hands-on experience with this state-of-the-art system.”
Arkansas
North Arkansas College (Northark) will receive nearly $1 million through a state Regional Workforce Continuation Grant to continue its work in increasing the pool of skilled workers entering emerging healthcare and manufacturing jobs — work it’s been doing since 2016.
“We’re looking forward to building upon our momentum with this grant to offer innovative educational opportunities that are affordable,” said President Randy Esters.
The new grant funds are earmarked for marketing the programs to prospective students and partners, purchasing equipment, expanding current programs for online delivery and for paying salaries. The grant also will cover paid internship opportunities and apprenticeship programs. In addition, Northark plans to add biomedical electronics technician and medical laboratory technician programs to online offerings.
Prior learning assessment also is a priority, with funds available for consultation and the development of a comprehensive prior learning assessment mechanism for awarding college credit for qualified formal training and/or work experience.
Florida
Northwest Florida State College will use a $5,000 gift from the Twin Cities Woman’s Club to provide scholarships to adult women who are beginning or returning to college. The club has invested in NWF students since 1994. With this gift, it has given more than $100,000.
Kansas
WSU Tech, formerly Wichita Area Technical College, is on track to help more students through the Wichita Promise MOVE. The program covers relocation expenses and cost of living expenses for students who move to Wichita to enroll in certain workforce programs. Emily Bonavia of Bonavia Industries is donating $80,000 worth of furnished apartments for students to use.
The Wichita Community Foundation (WCF) also is a major investor in MOVE. The foundation granted the college $500,000. It’s part of a $1 million investment by WCF to kickstart the Talent Ecosystem Fund, an initiative focused on Wichita’s workforce issues, talent development and lifelong learning.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker with Mount Wachusett Community College’s Eileen Costello and Jay Moody. (Photo: MWCC)
A number of Massachusetts community colleges received state Skills Capital Grants to help the schools acquire the newest technologies to educate students and expand programs.
Included among the grantees is Bunker Hill Community College, which received $135,393 to enhance its paramedic students and emergency medical technician programs. The college plans to purchase equipment for its EMT and paramedic laboratory, including a defibrillator trainer, simulation manikins, a ventilator and an infusion pump. Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC), which received a $439,850 grant, also has plans to improve paramedic and EMT training, as well as nursing education, with new equipment for two of its simulated health science labs.
“Our health sciences students will be in their communities saving lives after graduating from their programs at MWCC. This updated equipment will help them serve even more effectively,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven.
Middlesex Community College will use a nearly $500,000 grant to renovate and upgrade the dental hygiene clinic and dental assisting lab. The programs lead to associate degrees in dental hygiene and dental assisting, as well as a one-year certificate option in dental assisting. Funding will support 24 new operatories in the dental hygiene clinic and five new operatories in the dental assisting lab will be re-configured.
The full list of grantees is available here.
