Southern Maine Community College Launches Advanced Technology Center

From SMCC News Update, February 2007

BRUNSWICK, Maine — Thanks to a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, SMCC opened the doors this month to its new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Brunswick. The Center will provide training to workers preparing for jobs in advanced manufacturing and is intended to help drive the growth of the composites industry in Maine. According to Jim Whitten, Dean of Business and Community Partnerships at SMCC: "The ATC will establish a national model for innovative training. We intend to share that model with the composites industry nationally." The Center, located in the former Times Record building in downtown Brunswick, will have dedicated labs, classrooms, and application shops for composite manufacturing. Two classes were held this month at the facility, which will provide training for individuals to work in a variety of industries, among them boat building and marine trades. The Center, in conjunction with its partners, will develop curriculum that can be delivered at community colleges, technical high schools and other colleges and universities. The Center’s partners include the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center at the University of Maine; ACSM Inc.; Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc.; the Maine Composites Alliance; the Maine Marine Trades Association; Maine Built Boats; The Town of Brunswick; The Landing School; and Maine’s North Star Alliance. More information on the Center and its offerings will be available this spring.