WYTHEVILLE (WSLS 10) - Wytheville Community College will have a new state of the art training facility, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
The funds will help the campus launch the Innovative Advanced Manufacturing Center, which will offer training in advanced machining, welding, and mechatronics.
The school says the offerings support local and regional workforce needs.
"With both the high demand for skilled workers and anticipated growth in manufacturing and industry, WCC must be positioned to address these needs for machinists, welders, mechatronics, and related occupations in the service region. With this grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, we are one step closer to making this a reality. Providing these types of credentials at WCC will enable students to pursue high-demand career paths that pay remarkably well right here in their own communities," said Perry Hughes, Director of Workforce Development at WCC.
Read the full release below.
WCC Receives $250,000 Grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission to Establish New IAM Center
Wytheville Community College was recently awarded a grant of $250,000 from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) to launch the Innovative Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) Center at WCC.
The new IAM Center at WCC will be an expansion of WCC's current advanced machine technology program and will create a state-of-the-art training facility on campus that will house and offer in-demand training in advanced machining, welding, and mechatronics that will support local and regional workforce needs.
In particular, these grant funds will help purchase additional equipment for the expansion of the current advanced machining and welding programs. The grant will also help create new non-credit program in mechatronics, which is a combination of precision engineering, electronic control, and mechanic systems.
"High demand for employees with advanced manufacturing skills including welding, machining, and mechatronics is present and growing in the WCC service region," said Perry Hughes, Director of Workforc
e Development at WCC. "The growing use of automation in Southwest Virginia manufacturing further increases demand for individuals with skilled training. Once trained, these individuals can easily shift from one process to another, as these skills often transfer across industries to enhance flexibility."
"With both the high demand for skilled workers and anticipated growth in manufacturing and industry, WCC must be positioned to address these needs for machinists, welders, mechatronics, and related occupations in the service region. With this grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, we are one step closer to making this a reality. Providing these types of credentials at WCC will enable students to pursue high-demand career paths that pay remarkably well right here in their own communities," said Hughes.
The IAM Center at WCC will also expand current dual enrollment options for area high schools and encourage economic development in the region through this premier advanced manufacturing facility that will train the workforce in any advanced manufacturing needs. The project will offer industry recognized credentials such as MT 1, Siemens Level 1 and Siemens Level 2, NIMS Level 1 and NIMS Level 2, and AWS D1.1. In addition to industry related credentials and non-credit welding and mechatronics training, students at WCC can also earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Machine Technology, a one-year certificate in Machine Tool Operation, and a Career Studies Certificate in Machining.