Press releases
June 16, 2021
Governor Lamont announced that Tunxis Community College will be the nation’s only National Science Foundation Next Generation Manufacturing Technology Center
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that Tunxis Community College and Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) College of Technology have received a $ 7.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF ) have received to the only NSF National. to direct the country’s next generation manufacturing center. The center will work with leadership teams from Columbus State Community College in Ohio, the College of the Canyons in California, Central Community College in Nebraska, and Indian River State College in Florida, as well as employees from education, industrial, government and private organizations from the across the United States to implement Industry 4.0 initiatives in Connecticut and across the country.
“Advanced Manufacturing is an important part of Connecticut’s economic future,” Governor Lamont said. “Making sure we have a workforce prepared for the needs of employers in the 21st century is a top priority for my administration, and this is an important investment. Connecticut community colleges are a great, affordable option for those looking to find meaningful careers to get a top-notch education. The new center in Tunxis will have a unique position to contribute to our personnel pipeline. “
The new center will be located at 21 Spring Lane, next to Tunxis’ Farmington campus. The property, a 44,000-square-foot former manufacturing facility, was acquired in 2020 with a combination of new government bond funding and reallocation funds from other projects. The renovation of the facility is to begin in the summer.
“This is a big thing for Connecticut” Dr. Jane Gates, interim president of the CSCU, said. “The centers for advanced manufacturing technology at our community colleges offer transformation opportunities for the students they mentor – with job placement rates of over 90 percent and a growing need for skilled manufacturing workers. This NSF investment is a recognition of the value and effectiveness of our manufacturing programs. “
“Advanced Manufacturing is a popular career opportunity” Terrence Cheng, President-elect of the CSCU, said. “The community colleges have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and a world-class, experienced group of faculty members who are dedicated to student success. Anyone considering a career in manufacturing should check out our community colleges. This NSF funding will cement our universities’ position as national leaders in advanced manufacturing. “
“Federal grants to skill development programs are critical to ensuring that Connecticut businesses and workers continue to lead the world in high-tech manufacturing.” Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “Community colleges are critical to meeting the educational needs I’ve heard from countless manufacturers. Connecticut has a long history of being one of the strongest, most dynamic manufacturing professionals in the country. The Tunxis Advanced Manufacturing Center is a prime example of how our community colleges are keeping Connecticut’s most important resource – our people – at the forefront of the jobs of the future. “
The center will provide educational models and professional development for college and university teachers and create an online resource repository that can be used to build seamless, stackable career paths in advanced manufacturing. These models include industry credentials, micro credentials, badges and certificates that prepare students for lucrative jobs in advanced manufacturing.
The center is led by national executives from other advanced technology education centers and projects, as well as national public companies, to identify successful strategies for recruiting and retaining people from underrepresented communities in the next generation manufacturing industry.
The center aims to meet the need for a pipeline of students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing beginning in high school. It will also bolster career paths that include robust degree programs at community colleges that can then be transferred to university programs with no loss of credit.
“I am very proud of our dedicated leadership team consisting of our College of Technology, our Advanced Manufacturing Centers and our national partners, whose expertise and passion will drive the establishment of the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM). ” Dr. James Lombella, regional president of the North-West Region, Connecticut Community Colleges, said. “We are very grateful to the NSF for this award, as well as for the previous NSF funding that created the infrastructure that will be the basis for the successful implementation of this center. The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing will not only address current manpower needs, but also the workforce of the future that includes robotics, mechatronics, supply chain, co-bots, intelligent manufacturing and machine learning. As a result, the NCNGM will create a state-of-the-art workforce that will ensure US manufacturing continues to be a global and competitive leader in all manufacturing sectors. “
“We are pleased to have this national center in Tunxis, which will play an important role in helping universities across the country advance their manufacturing programs and meet the high demand for skilled workers.” Dr. Darryl Reome, Campus CEO of Tunxis Community College, said.
“The Connecticut Community Colleges College of Technology and the NSF funding it received has enabled us to be an advanced manufacturing education that prepares graduates for careers in manufacturing.” Karen Wosczyna-Birch, executive director of the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, said. “The new National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, with its national partners from various sectors of education, industry, government and other stakeholders, will ensure that community colleges in the United States prepare faculties and diverse student bodies for Industry 4.0. As a result, the NCNGM will ensure that equity and access are the cornerstone of creating the advanced manufacturing workforce that is essential for U.S. manufacturing companies to stay competitive. “
“We are very happy about this sponsorship” Cindy Bombard, president and CEO of the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, said. “It will offer so many opportunities to students and help so many of our manufacturers in the central region looking for vacancies and new positions. This will help create a much-needed talent pipeline for our Connecticut manufacturers. “
The Tunxis Community College expects the groundbreaking ceremony for the Spring Lane building in the coming weeks.
Twitter: @GovNedLamont Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/governor-lamont-announces-tunxis-community-college-will-be-home-to-nations-only-national-science-foundation-next-generation-manufacturing-technology-center/
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