March 15, 2012
REP. JOHNSON & SEN. WILLIAMS ANNOUNCE
QVCC MANUFATURING CENTER ON BOND AGENDA
Center will ensure residents are able to compete for in demand jobs
State Representative Susan Johnson and Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. announced that funding for Quinebaug Valley Community College’s (QVCC) proposed Manufacturing Technology Center—one of only three schools selected statewide—has been added to the March 30th State Bond Commission agenda.
“Expanding QVCC’s programs in advanced manufacturing and precision manufacturing will be a huge boost to the region,” said Representative Johnson. “The Center will have a significant and positive impact on unemployment, and provide opportunities for young people and working adults to obtain the skills needed to serve our vital manufacturing sector.”
The mission of the center will be to offer a variety of credit and non-credit certificate programs for incumbent workers, displaced workers, returning veterans, technical high school students and traditional college students. It will include a career-focused curriculum specifically designed for entry-level employment and employment advancement in the evolving manufacturing sector of eastern Connecticut. As part of the plan, the center will offer programs designed to provide high school juniors and seniors with opportunities to explore career paths in manufacturing. Additionally, the center will coordinate personalized career placement and mentoring programs
“The education and training provided by QVCC will ensure our residents are able to compete not only for the jobs of the future, but for the precision manufacturing jobs that are available today in eastern Connecticut,” said Senator Williams. “QVCC’s partnership with Ellis Tech is an investment in a jobs pipeline aimed at preparing students for in demand manufacturing careers.”
QVCC’s Manufacturing and Technology Center will allow the expansion of programs in advanced manufacturing and precision manufacturing. QVCC already has strong partnerships with the manufacturing firms in this area. The center will have a significant and positive impact on the region’s high unemployment, and provide opportunities for young people and working adults to obtain the skills needed to serve the state’s vital manufacturing sector.
QVCC’s proposal includes tripling the size of its manufacturing lab space—which combined with the ongoing renovations of Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School will create a critical mass of manufacturing training space in eastern Connecticut. The combined efforts of both these schools will lead to trained workers ready to compete for 21st century jobs.
Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, QVCC in Killingly and Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury will share $8.9 million to be used to finance the design, construction and equipping of space for new manufacturing technology programs.