Meeting Industry Demand for a Skilled and Talented Workforce
The County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees, along with the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, regional and state officials, industry leaders, students and faculty, marked the groundbreaking today for a state-of-the art Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center.
About 100 people gathered at CCM to celebrate the plans for the $11 million center designed to address employment needs and growing industry demands. Funding for the center is being provided by the State of New Jersey, Morris County and private donations. The 31,500-square-foot facility is expected to open spring 2020.
Developed with the input of industry leaders, the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center will feature the latest technology and equipment to prepare the workforce of the future, provide current employees with cutting-edge training and offer faculty, students and industry the opportunity to work collaboratively on solutions and new developments. The center is being constructed on property the college owns near 675 Route 10, which houses the Public Safety and Information Systems departments.
“This new facility, like all of our buildings, is more than a structure. It is a resource for the community. As such, it is intended to support regional manufacturers by providing an innovative and inspiring learning environment where today’s students become tomorrow’s engineers,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president. “It will allow CCM to expand upon its work of producing a pipeline of skilled workers. And, equally important, it provides a home-base for all regional manufacturers who seek to ensure that their current employees have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge training so their companies can remain industry leaders.”
“This facility will fully prepare our students for new and good-paying jobs,” added Freeholder Director Douglas Cabana. “It also is a response to the workforce demands of county and regional employers in addressing the need for skilled workers, with the most up-to-date training.”
Also included in the program were Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco; Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce; Robert Asaro-Angelo, New Jersey Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development; Diana Gonzalez, Deputy Secretary, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education; Meghan Hunscher, President, Morris County Chamber of Commerce; Gil Zweig, CEO, Glenbrook Technologies; and Cindy Rampersad, Electronics Engineering Technology Major and former Glenbrook Technologies intern.
Manufacturing and engineering are vital parts of the Morris County economy, but meeting the need for skilled employees is challenging as those industries continue to grow and new demands develop. The center is designed to address a multitude of needs within the manufacturing and engineering sectors. The facility will feature two electronics labs, two prototyping labs, two computer labs, a 3D printing room, an analysis lab, an automation and controls/robotics/emerging technologies lab, a measuring and materials testing lab, a welding lab, maker space, conference rooms, classrooms and offices. Serving as architect for the project is USA Architects of Somerville.
Currently, CCM offers associate degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology, Engineering Science and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Through its Division of Workforce Development, the college also provides an extensive offering of skills training in such areas as Auto CAD, Program Management, Shop Math and Measurement, Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management and more.
Construction of the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center will free up space in the college’s current engineering and manufacturing lab, which will allow for the construction of The Paragano Family Foundation Healthcare Simulation Center. Through the CCM Foundation’s “Forward” Campaign, the Paragano Family Foundation provided a leadership gift to support that initiative. Along with development of the simulation center, CCM will be expanding its healthcare programs.
For more information on the college’s Manufacturing and Engineering programs, visit https://tinyurl.com/y9qkr3ty. For information on its Workforce Development programs, go to www.ccm.edu/workforce/.
To view photos of the event, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsmxLZXAK/.
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Photo: CCM Trustee Chair Paul Licitra, Freeholder Director Douglas Cabana, Freeholder Stephen Shaw, Freeholder Deputy Director Heather Darling, Donna Pepe, Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, CCM President Anthony Iacono, CCM Trustee Vice Chair Thomas Pepe at the site for the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center.
