{"id":113,"date":"2016-08-02T13:21:10","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T13:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.industrialtrafficclientsites.com\/REVIEW\/baronmachine.com\/news\/?p=113"},"modified":"2018-12-28T15:15:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T15:15:00","slug":"industry-support-for-lakes-region-community-college-advanced-manufacturing-programs-unanimous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baronmachine.com\/news\/industry-support-for-lakes-region-community-college-advanced-manufacturing-programs-unanimous\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry support for Lakes Region Community College advanced manufacturing programs unanimous"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article appears in the October 17 2014 issue of New Hampshire Business Review<\/a><\/p>\n

Critical jet engine components, medical drills, prosthetic implants, super computer and cell phone parts and security scan equipment all have something in common: They\u2019re made right here in New Hampshire by world-class advanced manufacturing companies in serious need of highly skilled technicians.<\/p>\n

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Lakes Region Community College is answering that need by working alongside NH Ball Bearings, Aavid Thermalloy, Watts Water Technologies, Baron Machine, Scotia Technology, EPTAM Plastics, Freudenberg NOK and other manufacturers to develop training and education programs laser-focused on delivering high-tech operation, maintenance and repair skills required by employers competing in global markets.<\/p>\n

The college offers an Advanced Manufacturing Certificate, as well as Electromechanical Technician and Advanced Manufacturing Processes and Control associate degrees, all approved by dozens of advanced manufacturing employers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe students we have in these A.S. programs take the CNC courses because we want them to be knowledgeable in operation,\u201d said Don Brough, project coordinator at LRCC for NH\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships in Education initiative. \u201cBut they also learn the hydraulics, mechanics, pneumatics, robotic capabilities, program logic controls and electronics that keep machines running. When someone calls for maintenance and repair, they can do root-cause analysis, isolate the problem and quickly fix it. When employers hear that, they get giddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat drove our new programs is industry told us there\u2019s a great need for two types of people: Those who understand how to operate the machines and those who can maintain and repair them,\u201d Brough said. \u201cBoth are extremely important, because in New Hampshire if you ask how difficult is it to find someone who has those skills, the answer will most definitely be: \u2018Nearly impossible.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

To aid in seamless transition from classroom to career, LRCC\u2019s fully updated advanced manufacturing lab features three- and five-axis CNC machines, a parametric probe, training simulators and more. Its online learning library offers programming training to cover blueprint reading, SolidWorks and Mastercam.<\/p>\n

LRCC is extending career pathways by strengthening training relationships with high schools and career and technical education centers. Paid internship and incumbent employee training programs are also in development with industry partners.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmployers are increasingly contacting us directly to support their hiring efforts,\u201d said Brough. \u201cIn short order, they\u2019re seeing the quality of our students\u2019 work and saying, \u2018Whoa. We need more of those.\u2019 In some cases, they\u2019re creating new positions so they can extend job offers. One company is requiring employees to complete our certificate program as a prerequisite for a 15 percent pay increase. It sends an incredible message that industry believes our training has merit for both entry-level and experienced employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

WorkReadyNH<\/h3>\n

Lakes Region Community College also recognizes the need for strong foundational and \u201csoft\u201d skills in any successful workplace. To this end, the tuition-free intensive WorkReadyNH program is available to eligible students at all NH community colleges. WRNH helps job-seekers and career builders improve math, reading, information-gathering, communication, team-building and problem-solving skills. Its assessment and training services enable students to earn two nationally recognized certificates, while helping employers identify qualified career candidates.<\/p>\n

AMPedNH<\/h3>\n

LRCC and its six sister colleges are part of NH\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships in Education, a statewide initiative that unites the colleges with more than 200 industry, state and federal agency partners to offer industry approved education and training. Under a $20 million USDOLETA TAACCCT grant, advanced manufacturing labs at each of the colleges were opened or overhauled with state-of-the-art equipment.<\/p>\n

Five ways NH community colleges serve employers:<\/b><\/p>\n