New FRCC Facility to Help Alleviate Worker Shortage in Manufacturing

Jul 19, 2019 | Member News

On August 1, Front Range Community College (FRCC) will open its new training center for careers in high-tech manufacturing. Colorado expects to have 5,000 new jobs in manufacturing by 2026.

As the only college facility in the state with four advanced manufacturing programs under one roof, the Center for Integrated Manufacturing will help meet the needs of local businesses, while giving students access to lucrative careers.

“Advanced manufacturing is booming in Colorado but many local companies can’t find enough workers with the right skills and training to fill these well-paying jobs,” said Andy Dorsey, president of Front Range Community College. “By educating people in our community, we can help local companies meet their critical need for employees, and provide students strong career opportunities.”

The grand opening of FRCC’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing will feature tours of the college’s brand-new 27,000 square-foot facility and give the public a chance to learn about careers in high-tech manufacturing from local employers.

Grand Opening

Thursday, August 1  |  2:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting  |  2:30 – 4:00 pm

Joint Open House with the Advanced Manufacturing Academy at St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Career Development Center  |  4:00 – 7:00 pm (Stop in anytime!)

1351 S. Sunset St. in Longmont

Want a great job in a high-tech industry?

Be one of the first to learn about FRCC’s new programs in this fast-growing field. Join us to explore these new education options for careers in advanced manufacturing:

FRCC connects with partners like St. Vrain Valley Schools to create pathways to careers in Colorado’s high-tech manufacturing industry. Attendees are encouraged to tour St. Vrain’s new Advanced Manufacturing Academy at the Career Development Center—located at 1200 S. Sunset Street—to see firsthand how the partnership is creating opportunities and preparing students for high-paying, high-impact careers.

“FRCC’s programs provide industry-focused education and hands-on training,” said Elena Sandoval-Lucero, vice president of the college’s Boulder County campus. “These programs were developed in direct response to industry needs—and with significant input from area businesses. Because of that industry involvement, students from our programs are able to hit the ground running in a variety of advanced manufacturing jobs.”

With the growth of this industry in northern Colorado, successful students will be in high demand for jobs with starting wages of more than $20 per hour. These entry-level opportunities can lead to exciting careers in high-tech fields.

“By aligning our programming with Front Range and continuously engaging manufacturers in our community, our students are better equipped to enter the workforce, further their education, or pursue more advanced certifications in manufacturing,” said Neil Shupe, director of manufacturing at St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Career Development Center.

The new cutting-edge training equipment at the CIM will allow for hands-on, active learning and skill-building instruction—providing industry-relevant learning experiences for our students. Find out more about this new educational facility at: www.frontrange.edu/advancedmfg.