DUBLIN – Bladen Community College has received $10,000 from area businesses as part of a collaborative effort with the United States Economic Development Administration to construct an Advanced Manufacturing Building on the college’s main campus in Dublin.
The Bladen County Committee of 100, Inc. has contributed $5,000, Four County Electric has given $3,000, and Clark Brothers has donated $2,000.
The college recently received a $1.3 million grant from the Economic Development Administration as a part of the ‘Skills for Business’ initiative implemented by the Obama administration. The grant, along with other local investments and contributions, will establish a facility that will provide local workers with the training they need to compete for high-skill jobs.
The project is a united effort among the college, the Bladen County Commissioners, the Bladen County Committee of 100, and local businesses and industries who are concerned about the availability of highly skilled employees in science and advanced manufacturing related fields.
The facility will include an advanced manufacturing technology simulation laboratory, a supporting computer classroom, and an advanced technology industry bay.
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.”
The industrial bay will contain advanced training technology such as three dimensional printers and computer numerically controlled lathes, plasma cutting equipment, and milling machines.
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 information about Bladen Community College, call 910-879-5500.
Cathy Kinlaw is the public information officer for Bladen Community College.
