Housy Designated Community College Manufacturing Center

From Board of Regents for Higher Education:

(HARTFORD, CT) — Board of Regents President Robert A. Kennedy today announced the selection of three community colleges for the creation of manufacturing centers to meet the state’s manufacturing workforce needs. The BOR solicited proposals for the creation of three manufacturing centers in response to the passage of Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s bipartisan Jobs Bill, which encouraged new job creation, while developing and strengthening the state’s workforce competitiveness. Included in the bill is $17.8 million in state bond funding through FY 2013 for the development of manufacturing programs at the three community colleges. This funding includes capital equipment purchases as well as the renovation and expansion of existing college facilities to accommodate a manufacturing center.

Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury and Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson were selected by the BOR based on their ability to establish or expand manufacturing technology programs and their commitment to precision manufacturing. The proposal review committee included representatives from the Board of Regents, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAT), the Connecticut Business and Industry Association Education Foundation and Asnuntuck Community College. Details between the Board of Regents and the selected community colleges are still being finalized, including exact award amounts. A Memorandum of Agreement between the BOR and each community college will be prepared for the work of the manufacturing centers, and it the BOR plans to create a statewide advisory panel to support and guide the manufacturing centers.

The idea for the three new manufacturing centers was spurred by the success of Asnuntuck Community College’s successful Manufacturing Technology Center in Enfield. Also included in the Jobs Bill package is $2.2 million in bonding authorization to expand Asnuntuck’s precision manufacturing program. More than 1,000 students have graduated from Asnuntuck’s technology programs and have transitioned to the private sector with the technological abilities that benefit local industry.

“Last year on my Jobs Tour, I visited dozens of businesses in our state, and one constant refrain I heard was the need for an educated and skilled workforce, particularly within the manufacturing sector. If we’re going to increase job growth and remain competitive, we must be aware of how critically important it is for manufacturers to have access to employees with an advanced skill set,” Governor Malloy said. “Having a workforce that is able to fill these jobs is vital to spurring economic growth, and these Manufacturing Centers will play a significant role in boosting those efforts.”

“I believe it’s absolutely critical to enhance collaboration and partnerships between the state’s higher education system and the private sector,” said President Kennedy. “Preparing our students for a future job without fully understanding the needs of local industry is detrimental to both the students, and to our economy. Manufacturing education programs that respond to the needs of the state’s manufacturers will prepare students for the 21st century global workforce.”

The three community colleges will also be responsible for providing measureable outcomes–which include students graduating from the program and final job placement in the state’s manufacturing industry. Programs must meet the specific needs of the region’s manufacturing sector, offer a standard core curriculum and industry recognized credentials, which is a priority for the Dream It. Do It. Initiative, led in Connecticut by CCAT and co-chaired by President Kennedy.

Housatonic Community College (HCC), Bridgeport

HCC Advanced Manufacturing Center for Southwestern Connecticut.

HCC plans to expand its training facility for both credit and non-credit programs at its main campus, and upgrade the manufacturing laboratories at its partner vocational-technical schools (Platt Technical High School in Milford and Emmett O’Brien High School in Ansonia).

The college has undertaken several initiatives to create a strong manufacturing anchor in southwest Connecticut and has offered associate degree programs that range from manufacturing processes to Computer Numeric Control (CNC). Over the last three years, HCC has also been actively engaged in communicating with manufacturers in its service area and has identified industry workforce partners.

HCC has developed a 2,400-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing labs for credit and non-credit programs. The HCC Advanced Manufacturing Center will include computer labs, milling and lathe machines, CNC machines, rapid prototypers and a welding center. The college is also in the final stages of planning an engineering and design studio to complement the lab. This will enable the college to significantly broaden its technology programs and course offerings.

In addition, through the HCC’s “Bridges” high school initiative, the college has created a link with all comprehensive and technical high schools in its 11 town service region offering workshops and providing opportunities for curriculum alignment. HCC delivers its manufacturing processes course at Platt Technical High School, while Emmett O’Brien Technical High School is working with HCC to strengthen math and English courses to increase college readiness.

Enrollment in HCC’s technical programs has increased over the last several years, as they provide pathways for students interested in engineering, manufacturing and technology to transfer to four-year programs at Central Connecticut State University, the University of Connecticut and Fairfield University.

“I am most pleased that Housatonic Community College’s Manufacturing Program has been selected for this grant,” said HCC President Anita Gliniecki. “With this funding, our college can complete the expansion of an advanced manufacturing center for Southwestern Connecticut. HCC has worked with our Manufacturing Advisory Committee and our vocational technical school partners to bring this manufacturing center to fruition and increase the training and employment opportunities for the residents of Southwestern Connecticut.”