Bringing New Life to an Old Industry: New Advanced Manufacturing Courses Add to the Pipelines of Technical Talent

PHILADELPHIA, SEPT. 17 – Community College of Philadelphia seeks to provide every neighborhood in the city access to highly-skilled technical careers with its new, conveniently located Advanced Manufacturing courses.

This year, the College launched an historic partnership with the Philadelphia School District’s Benjamin Franklin High School Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, which will allow it to offer technical courses at that location in the evenings and on Saturdays, when high school classes are not in session. The high school is just blocks from the College’s Main Campus near Center City, and major public transportation hubs.

The first three technical training programs begin in October: Welding Technology, CNC Precision Machining Technology and Electro-Mechanical/Mechatronics Technology. All these courses provide a path to high-paying, entry-level careers, with salaries starting at $23 an hour, depending on the industry.

As a result of a new grant, eligible students may be able to attend classes this fall for free. All three advanced manufacturing programs have been approved for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding. Prospective students can contact a local PA CareerLink office to determine if they are eligible to receive vouchers to cover the costs of the training programs..

Advanced manufacturing is a growing industry that uses technology to produce, improve, and design the products people use daily. According to a recent Philadelphia Works report, core industries in advanced manufacturing grew by 13 percent between 2007 and 2013.

The creation of the College’s program came out of a task force, cited in the city’s Office of Manufacturing & Industry 2016 Annual Report, which was charged to come up with ways to best serve students and employers city-wide. “We are partners in the success of students and in the development of its businesses,” said Donald Guy Generals, president of Community College of Philadelphia. Classes will run on Saturdays and evenings starting Oct. 1. To learn more, visit the College website.

 

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Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in Philadelphia and the sixth largest in Pennsylvania. The College enrolls approximately 34,000 students annually and offers day, evening, and weekend classes, as well as classes online. Visit the College at www.ccp.edu. Follow us on Twitter. Like us on Facebook.