CAC, consortium receive $10 million federal grant for manufacturing job skills

United State Vice President Joe Biden recently announced grant awards given to community colleges under this year’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants initiative (TAACCCT). Created in 2009, this is the fourth and final round of TAACCCT grants. The $450 million awarded will be used to support community colleges in developing partnerships with employers to educate and train individuals for in-demand jobs.

“This funding will enhance opportunities for veterans, unemployed, underemployed and Trade Adjustment Assistance eligible workers throughout Arizona,” CAC President Doris Helmich said. “We are grateful for the opportunity. It is important to our taxpayers that Arizona and Pinal County has a skilled workforce who will continue to attract industry and jobs to the state and county.”

CAC, in partnership with consortium members Eastern Arizona College, GateWay Community College – Maricopa Skills Center and Estrella Mountain Community College – Southwest Skill Center, will share $10 million to establish the Arizona Regional Advanced Manufacturing Professional Upgrade project (AZ RAMP Up).

AZ RAMP Up will be financed 100 percent with the funding provided through the Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration. It will be designed to accelerate student learning and strengthen student success in advanced manufacturing. Strategies that include competency-based education, prior learning assessments and engagement with industry will be used. Additionally, academic and industry recognized certificates that transfer to other degree programs within the state and those that lead to skilled manufacturing jobs in Arizona will be established.

The consortium will partner with local and regional employers and industry partners to develop training programs that enable workers to build skills and obtain good jobs. Industry certifications will include the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS), the American Welding Society (AWS), the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA), the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and NCRC +.

AZ RAMP Up will lead to the development of one new associate degree and six new certificate programs and will enhance 11 existing certificate and two associate degree programs among the consortium members.***ADVERTISEMENT***

“These investments will help prepare workers with the skills needed for in-demand careers and advance the role of community colleges as engines of economic growth,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez said. “The award is part of a long-term commitment to ensure that American workers have access to training for the specific skills needed to stay competitive in the ever-changing job market.”