Muskegon Community College, as part of the national Credentials to Careers coalition led by Northern Virginia Community College, will receive an expected $500,000 grant to implement a new CAD/CNC program for use by local employers, Anderson Global and Alcoa Howmet.
The funds are being provided through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Community College and Career Training initiative. The program promotes skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, as well as science, technology, engineering and math careers through partnerships between training providers and local employers.
The U.S. Department of Labor implements and administers the program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education.
“We are excited to be able to develop this new program, requested by employers,” stated MCC President Dr. Dale Nesbary. “The CAD/CNC area has promising job prospects and we are certain that our program will deliver good outcomes for the Muskegon area, which has been affected by foreign trade.”
MCC’S portion of the grant, totaling a half-million dollars, will be applied to improving equipment and expanding academic opportunities. The college’s goal is to increase programming capacity by 40 students over three years to meet Anderson Global’s CAD/CNC cross training curriculum needs. At the same time, MCC will better incorporate metrology into its machining curriculum in response to Alcoa Howmet’s requests.
“We are extremely fortunate to have been asked to be part of this consortium and have had excellent teamwork at MCC to make this possible,” added Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, director of Business and Industry Training at MCC. “The college and national nonprofit consultant partners, such as the Urban Institute, are going to ensure we create an excellent program that serves our students and local employers.”
College officials applauded Rinsema-Sybenga’s success in leading the project to fruition.
Credentials to careers focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program development, working with employers to train people in these fields to fill critical positions. The initiative demonstrates how community colleges, in conjunction with non-profit workforce development partners and local STEM employers, can quickly develop and put into effect high-performing education and training programs for TAA-impacted workers and other adult workers.
For more information contact Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, dan.rinsema-sybenga@muskegoncc.edu
, or (231) 777-0569.