WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the Bladen Community College to help build a technology and advanced manufacturing training facility on the College’s main campus in Dublin, North Carolina.
“The Obama Administration is committed to helping communities develop a workforce with 21st century skills,” said Secretary Pritzker. “As part of the ‘Skills for Business’ initiative, this EDA investment will allow Bladen Community College to establish a facility that will provide local workers with the training they need to compete for high-skill jobs being offered by regional employers.”
The curriculum will serve students from the North Carolina Community College Career and College Promise Program and the News School Program in Bladen County Public Schools.
EDA’s investment will help build the technology training facility on Bladen Community College’s main campus in Dublin. The facility will include an industrial chemistry laboratory, an advanced manufacturing technology simulation laboratory, a supporting computer classroom, and an advanced technology industry bay.
“This will change the way we deliver education,” remarks William Findt, president. “We are moving toward the acquisition of a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance what and how we teach.”
The project is a collaborative effort among the college, the public school system, Bladen County Economic Development Commission, the Bladen County Commissioners, and local businesses and industries who are concerned about the availability of highly skilled employees in science and advanced manufacturing related fields.
The industrial bay will contain advanced training technology such as three dimensional printers and computer numerically controlled lathes, plasma cutting equipment, and milling machines.
Edward Dent, dean of engineering and business programs, is confident the new industrial lab will increase students’ performances in job interviews. “With new virtual welding simulators, students will be prepared for job screening interviews that use virtual welding technology as part of the interview.”
With the advanced manufacturing laboratory, students will learn how to use Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing applications with automation studios to plan, design, and implement various manufacturing scenarios.
Sondra Guyton, vice president for workforce and continuing education remarks, “This new facility will allow unprecedented growth for our ever-expanding programs in allied health and continuing education. This facility will be the flagship location for technology and engineering-related curriculum studies on campus.”
For more information about the grant award or about Bladen Community College, call 910 879-5500.
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