Alexander County EDC Supports New CVCC Advanced Manufacturing Program

From CVCC Reports

Andrew Jackson (right), Alexander County Economic Development Corporation chairman, presents a check to CVCC Alexander Center for Education executive director Brett Fansler that funded the purchase of textbooks for the new automated manufacturing program.

When the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation asked business and industry leaders what they need to be more successful, there was a resounding response. Most every industry in the county utilizes automated manufacturing equipment. However, experts in repairing, servicing and troubleshooting it are in short supply.

Catawba Valley Community College staff took part in that discussion and went to work designing an educational program to teach these in-demand job skills in Taylorsville at the CVCC Applied Technology Center.

One of the first priorities was textbooks for the automated manufacturing program. The college recently accepted a $1,300 donation from the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation to buy the required textbook that every student in the program will use.

“The Alexander County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to have such a wonderful partnership with Catawba Valley Community College,” said Andrew Jackson, Alexander County EDC Chair and commercial banker with First Community Bank. “We believe this new program will be a benefit to the industries in Alexander County who need knowledgeable people who can help fill these positions in industrial maintenance. The EDC Board unanimously approved the contribution to purchase 10 textbooks to get the program kick started. Working together, we can make things happen to effect positive change for our workforce, our industries, and our educational system.”

Later this summer, CVCC will install approximately $50,000 worth of specialized training equipment called programmable logic control units. These units are an essential part of advanced manufacturing operations.

For more information about advanced manufacturing training at CVCC’s Alexander Center for Education, contact Executive Director Brett Fansler, 828-632-8221, or bfansler065@cvcc.edu.