In the News | Three Rivers gets $705,000 grant to teach welding to Electric Boat workers
Norwich — Three Rivers Community College has secured a $705,000 grant from Advanced Technology International to develop and teach a welding course, with a Navy certification, to Electric Boat workers.
Erin Sullivan, acting director of noncredit programs, explained that Three Rivers works in collaboration with EB, which needs welding support at its Quonset Point site in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Manufacturing director Bret Jacobson explained that because Columbia-class submarines start at Quonset Point, the site in Rhode Island is hitting its surge before the Groton site.
Whereas the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative from the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board is designed to train the unemployed and underemployed in a variety of manufacturing jobs, and most but not all get placed at EB upon completion, this new course is specifically to train new EB hires in welding.
But it’s happening at the same place as some MPI courses: The 8,500-square-foot Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center, which is housed at Ella T. Grasso and opened in 2019.
Jacobson said there was a small opening at the MAC between MPI classes, so “to utilize all of our resources that we’ve already purchased for the manufacturing stuff to help out Rhode Island is nice.”
Jacobson said Three Rivers is scheduled to put on two welding courses under this new grant, one that’s about halfway done and one scheduled to start at the end of February.
The course runs from 3 to 11:30 p.m. — being at Grasso Tech, it has to be after-school hours — for nine weeks. There are 14 people in the current class and Jacobson expects about the same number in the second.
“Most of them are completely new to welding, and just showed an aptitude for it and a strong character that Electric Boat saw in them and hired them, and we’re training them up,” Jacobson said, adding that “honestly, they’re doing a fantastic job.”
He said staff adopt and teach to EB’s processes for this course.
Sullivan said the grant covers both instructional costs and equipment. Jacobson said the new equipment is a set of welders that are Navy certified, a certification Three Rivers hasn’t had before and that will help put students to work sooner.
He said the welders should be arriving in the next couple weeks, and Grasso Tech students will be able to use them, as well.
The funder, South Carolina-based Advanced Technology International, is a nonprofit that builds research and development collaborations, and helps “move innovation from industry and academia to the Government, particularly the (Department of Defense).”
Sullivan said Three Rivers also is working with the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance on this project.
She noted the grant also supports a 9-hour trade exploratory program called The Boat for Women.
“The push really is to support the nontraditional student in this area, in the field of manufacturing, so that’s what we’re trying to bring to the area, to the region, to increase women in the trades,” Sullivan explained.
— By Erica Moser, Day staff writer
The original article can be found here: ‘Three Rivers gets $705,000 grant to teach welding to Electric Boat workers’
READ MORETRCC Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/manufacturing-for-web-3.jpg” bg_color=”#674b9f” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”250px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]TRCC Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center
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Three Rivers Community College Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center
Three Rivers Community College offers many immersive paths to a career in manufacturing. Providing education and training for students ranging from high school to adults, Three Rivers programs range from five-week training courses to two-year degree programs. The latest development is the creation of the state-of-the-art Three Rivers Community College Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center (MAC), housed at the Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton.
Bold and Innovative Approach
The 8,500 sq. ft. TRCC MAC is a bold and innovative approach to providing education for all aspects of manufacturing and apprenticeship training needs. The “flexible factory” simulates factory conditions using the actual machinery that students will encounter on the job. It has the capability to be re-configured based on the equipment needs of a course and can hold up to three different educational programs simultaneously.
Additionally, in an effort to be more responsive to industry needs, the scheduling of courses can be offered “on-demand” (instead of conforming to the traditional academic calendar). This educational model and space is the first of its kind in Connecticut (and the region).
Strong Partnership
Through a strong partnership with Grasso Tech and located within its newly opened state-of-the-art Technical High School, Three Rivers has the capability to have beginner and intermediate training for both adult and high school students. Courses are offered in nearly all trades including Machining, Welding, Electrical, Mechanical, Shipfitting, Pipefitting, Maintenance, Design Engineering, and any customizable program to fit an employer’s needs. Our 35 specialized instructors not only teach but have work experience as well.
95% Job Placement Rate
To date, Three Rivers graduates of these programs have a 95% job place rate. 80% of our students go to work at EB where their retention rate is 50% higher than with other EB employees. All this adds up to the Three Rivers difference in training employees who get the job done for our area manufacturers.
Learn more about how to apply into the manufacturing pipeline here.
Read coverage of the TRCC MAC here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”subpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”x-large” url=”#popmake-4375″ align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#99c539″ btn_hover_bg=”#cb1d53″]REQUEST INFO[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Manufacturing
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/manufacturing-for-web-1.jpg” bg_color=”#674b9f” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”250px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Manufacturing[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”250px”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1710778972326{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Manufacturing Programs at Three Rivers
Three Rivers Community College offers many immersive paths to a career in manufacturing. Providing education and training for students ranging from high school to adults, Three Rivers programs range from five-week training courses to two-year degree programs.
The latest development is the creation of the state-of-the-art Three Rivers Community College Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center (MAC), housed at the Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton.
Credit Programs
Three Rivers offers multiple degree programs that lead to careers in the manufacturing industry. Choose from the Manufacturing Engineering Technology, A.S.; Mechanical Engineering Technology, A.S. and more. These degree programs offer an excellent example of the merger between the traditional “hands-on” learning concepts and the newer computer application techniques in today’s engineering technology education.
Additionally, via the College of Technology, Three Rivers offers the seamless transfer degree of Engineering Science. Upon completion of this degree, students can gain automatic acceptance and full credit transfer to seven public and/ or private engineering universities in Connecticut where they can earn their bachelor’s degree in a variety of engineering fields.
Our faculty have advanced degrees, have worked in the field and care about student success. Graduates move on to careers specializing in operations, design, engineering, and development in manufacturing with starting salaries that range from $42,000 to $83,000. See a full list of our technologies degrees and certificates here.
Non-Credit Manufacturing Training Programs
Adult Programs
Three Rivers began offering manufacturing training programs in 2016 through the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline, which is one of several workforce-related programs overseen and administered by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB). The very first course was Outside Machining, a 5-week training program. From there the programs multiplied, classes include Intro to Manufacturing, Intro to Planning, Shipfitting, Inside Machining, Welding, and Design-Engineering. Learn more about these programs here.
Most of the programs that Three Rivers offers are part of the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative and were developed to address the massive need for skilled trade workers at Electric Boat and Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (EAMA) companies. Other programs have been designed to provide specific training for employers like Electric Boat, for example the Marine Draftsman Apprenticeship and the Metal Trades Council.
High School Programs
Three Rivers has extended the manufacturing programs to the high school level by partnering with local school districts that include the New London-Early College Opportunity (ECO) manufacturing program, the College Connections Program, and the Youth Manufacturing Pipeline. These programs prepare students for careers in manufacturing at institutions like Electric Boat or EAMA employers through coursework that can take place on high school campuses, the Three Rivers campus, or at the Three Rivers MAC training facility at Grasso Technical High School depending on the program.
Three Rivers Community College Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center
Three Rivers continues to expand its manufacturing training programs with our new 8,500 square foot, advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center facility that is the first of its kind in the nation. The TRCC MAC, located in
Groton at Grasso Technical High School, is a flexible space that simulates factory conditions using the actual machinery that students will encounter on the job. It is the hub for manufacturing training of all levels in a variety of disciplines and trades. Many of the manufacturing programs for both adults and high school students that Three Rivers are being moved to this facility and newer programs are on the horizon. Learn more about the TRCC MAC here.
Opportunities for Area Manufacturers and Businesses
The Three Rivers Center for Business & Industry Training is part of the statewide Business & Industry Services Network (BISN). TRCC provides client companies with a variety of services which include: customized training; business consultation services, data gathering and referral, plus seminars and workshops.
Three Rivers Business Center cultivates and actively works at building long-term partnerships with Chambers of Commerce, business and industry clients, other state agencies, and 501©3 organizations. BISN is the entrepreneurial business development and training department of Three Rivers Community College. For your business and training needs, contact Erin Sullivan at esullivan@threerivers.edu. Learn more here.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”subpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”x-large” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” el_class=”popmake-4375″ bg_color=”#99c539″ btn_hover_bg=”#cb1d53″]REQUEST INFO[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row] READ MOREIn the News | Three Rivers quadcopter team takes first place
Norwich, Connecticut (The Day, May 17, 2019) —A team from Three River Community College that included five local students tied for first place in the annual NASA-sponsored Community College Quadcopter Challenge April 26 at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson.
The Thames River Community College drone team, from left, Daniel Docker of New London, Adam Rugh of Old Mystic, Kevin Peterson of New London, Jonathan Bermudez of Norwich and Nate Reigles of Oakdale, along with advisor Yevhen Rutovytskyy. (Photo submitted)
Students were Adam Rugh of Old Mystic, Nate Reigles of Oakdale, Kevin Peterson and Daniel Docker of New London and Jonathan Bermudez of Norwich. The final two students were military veterans.
The team, led by Electric Boat engineer and adjunct professor Yevhen Rutovytskyy, tied QVCC, which had won the three previous drone challenges.
Each team member put in between 80 and 100 hours of work into into the drone, and each student will receive a $1,000 stipend.
The project is intended to increase the number of science, technology, engineering and math graduates, raise awareness of NASA education initiatives, enhance STEM diversity and provide experience with computer-aided drafting software.
“As a senior engineer at a defense contractor, my goal is to help students transcend their ‘comfort zone’ and learn skills that are not ordinarily offered as part of the engineering curriculum in community colleges,” Rutovytskyy, a Colchester resident, said in an email.
Part of the challenge included fabricating a multi-positional camera mount to allow the drone operator to manually switch camera views and acquire in-flight pictures of various targets of interest.
The original article can be found here: ‘Three Rivers quadcopter team takes first place’
READ MOREIn the News | Students Finding Manufacturing Jobs in Connecticut Right Out of School
NORWICH, Conn. (NBC CT, June 21, 2018) –
Electric Boat (EB) is on a hiring surge to meet the demand of building multiple submarines a year. Their suppliers also need manufacturers to meet that demand – which is good for many Connecticut students looking for a manufacturing job right out of school.
“EB is actively seeking our students,” said Marjorie Valentin, the Associate Dean of Division of Workforce and Community Education at Three Rivers Community College.
Along with having for-credit students, they’re also putting people through the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline – an initiative to address the hiring needs of EB, the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (EAMA), and other manufacturers at no-cost to trainees.
“Over the past 26 months we’ve served 400 people. Over 90 percent have gotten jobs whether it be at EB or at their supply chain,” Valentin said.
In her almost 20 years, there’s more for-credit students and pipeline students hired out of college this year than any other year.
“When this friend went through, she came back with all the information from EB…the pay rates and all that. I was like, yeah I need to get in on this,” said Deb Moro of Norwich.
Moro is a pipeline student through Three Rivers. The wife and mom of two is seeking a career change where she knows there’s a need.
“It’ll be a big help but I have fun in here and if I can get paid to have fun, then yes please,” Moro said.
Companies are also looking at high school students, like those at Grasso Technical High School.
Thomas Allen is the head of the Mechanical Design and Engineering Technology Department and said over the past two years, all of his seniors were offered jobs. Plus, part of the curriculum is geared toward EB.
“We really can’t get enough students at this point to train in order to fill the required positions,” Allen said.
Grasso Tech is also starting a welding program in fall of 2019. It would take EB’s requirements directly to the school, which would make students prime candidates to be hired by the company.
Statistics send by CT Department of Labor Communications Director Nancy Steffens reveal from May 2017 to May 2018 there’s been an increase in 4,1000 manufacturing jobs, it’s the third highest job creator – only health care and social assistance are above it – and there will eventually be more manufacturing job opening as companies hire to replace workers who have retired or are nearing retirement age.
— By Heather Burian, NBC CT
The original story can be found here: ‘Students Finding Manufacturing Jobs in Connecticut Right Out of School‘
READ MOREIn the News | Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative featured on WTNH New 8
EB taps into local schools for new workers
GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) — It’s safe to say that none of the Three Rivers Community College students in the welding lab at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School have never welded anything in their life. But after this program they’re going to have a brand new career.
In just ten weeks Jes Trejo of Groton could be a welder at Electric Boat. The professional writer is making a career change through the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative which trains welders and other workers for local companies like EB.
Congressman Joe Courtney who helped secure the federal grant which pays for the program says “Total hiring in Connecticut is projected to be about 1,350 in trades, design and engineering and support positions. EB expects to grow from 14,000 to 18,000 by 2030.”
“I moved to New York to try to get a job in writing that did not work at all,” says Trejo.
The program provides a new career for the unemployed or underemployed.
“My previous job didn’t offer any benefits either at all,” says student Andres Vanegas of New London.
“It’s a way for people to be gainfully employed in one job with a career path with upward mobility,” says Marjorie Valentin, Associate Dean with Three Rivers Community College.
The three year, $6 million program provides free tuition to Three Rivers, a stipend, and other support. Not only do they get money for mileage and daycare but if their car breaks down they can also get help with that.
“All you have to do is the work,” says Trejo. “So it’s really it’s a no brainer.”
The welding classes are held at Ella T Grasso Technical High School in Groton which will also offer the training to its students once its new building is built.
Most of those who complete the training find work.
“It’s very reassuring,” says Vanegas.
“I still love my writing and photography but I found something else I can love now too,” says Trejo.
A brighter future for these students and their families. Vanegas has a three year old daughter.
“I do want to give her like a bright future,” he says.
Published: Updated:
READ MOREManufacturing Pipeline Program
[mk_page_section bg_color=”#674b9f” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”250px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Manufacturing Pipeline Program[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1527777778996{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Program
Your Pipeline to Success
Like working with your hands and building things? Looking for a well-paying career?
Free Manufacturing Training Programs
We offer free, customized non-credit programs in Welding, Design Engineering, Outside Machining and Intro to Manufacturing for eligible students through the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline. Developed to address the massive need for skilled trades workers at Electric Boat and Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance Regional Sector Partnership (EAMA RSP) companies, these short-term (6-10 weeks long) training programs are available to unemployed and underemployed workers unable to attend longer-term training. The course curriculums are developed by Three Rivers with Electric Boat and EAMA RSP input.
Courses taught by Three Rivers Faculty
Courses are taught by Three Rivers Community College faculty at Ella Grasso Technical School in Groton. To date, thousands of people have been trained through this program and are now working for Electric Boat and EAMA RSP manufacturers. See the story of one of our students here.
Benefits during the training
Accepted students may receive conditional offers of work from the manufacturers based on their successful completion of the program. Students also receive support from the American Job Centers staff, helping them access supportive services while in classroom training to reduce barriers to enrollment and completion. Examples include: travel reimbursement, daycare assistance, and required books, tools, and clothing. Additionally, there is a cash stipend awarded to participants for successful completion of classroom training benchmarks. Program participants will also receive one-to-one job search assistance to promote their skills to area manufacturers.
Apply Online
If you or someone you know is interested in this training and is underemployed or unemployed, apply online at: http://www.ewib.org/pipeline. EWIB, the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, and the American Jobs Centers handle the application process for Pipeline programs at Three Rivers.
Remember, there is no cost to trainees. All expenses are covered.
Have questions? Read more at EWIB’s Frequently Asked Questions or call (860) 215-9028.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”subpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”x-large” url=”#popmake-4375″ align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#99c539″ btn_hover_bg=”#cb1d53″]REQUEST INFO[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1527711702564{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
The groups that make the Manufacturing Pipeline possible
The Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline is one of several workforce-related programs overseen and administered by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB). The Pipeline program is funded with a variety of state, private and philanthropic grant funds.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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