MCC Offers Open House for People Interested in Advanced Manufacturing Training

Good news for people interested in a growth career in advanced manufacturing: Manchester Community College is holding an open house on campus for local manufacturing companies, incumbent workers, students, high-school guidance counselors, parents and the general public Friday, January 16, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The open house is free, although reservations are encouraged. Call Ed Dombroski, coordinator of manufacturing programs, Business and Industry Services at 860-512-2814 or email edombroski@manchestercc.edu.

“MCC’s programs provide a foundation for participants to develop the skills, talents and teamwork necessary to create a better, long-term economic outlook for Connecticut,” said Dombroski. “Our various programs are designed to serve the needs of both employees and employers.”

MCC open house attendees will have the opportunity to tour college facilities and learn more about the manufacturing training and education as well as engineering degree programs available at MCC.  The programs enable students to qualify for and earn certification from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), which was formed in 1995 by the metalworking trade associations to develop and maintain a globally competitive American workforce.  NIMS sets skills standards for the industry, certifies individual skills against the standards and accredits training programs that meet NIMS quality requirements.

The college’s manufacturing and engineering instructors will provide information about today’s design and production technology, and participants can get information about scholarship opportunities.

Get directions to the MCC campus or call 860-512-2800. Recommended on-campus parking the day of the open house is in West Lot. For entrance to the event, look for the building with the tower and use those main doors to enter the rotunda. The event is in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) building, room A108.

CPM certificate classes will start in the Spring 2015 semester. The CPM program centers on the operation of conventional (manual) machinery used in today’s manufacturing environments. Students who complete this combined 280-hour non-credit and credit-bearing program — which covers subjects that form a sound foundation for a career in manufacturing — leave prepared to move on to more advanced manufacturing programs, such as CNC machining. They can also pursue studies in quality control inspection and CNC programming.

Students may also enroll in Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), a credit-bearing certificate program. As with the CPM program, students learn through a blend of theoretical and practical instruction in modern classrooms and the college machine shop. They get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art software and equipment.

MCC’s CPM and CAM programs are funded in part by CAMI, a Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant, as implemented by the Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. CAMI is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Financial aid may be available.

As implementation of the $15 million federal grant for CAMI moves forward, MCC is serving as the lead college of the consortium working collaboratively with the other 11 Connecticut community colleges and Charter Oak State College.

MCC has been allocated more than $6 million of the total funds to develop new curriculum, expand manufacturing labs, purchase equipment and support its consortium-leadership role. CAMI builds upon the success of the state’s nationally recognized Advanced Manufacturing Centers that are currently implemented at four state community colleges and expands manufacturing education to every community college in Connecticut.