Pine Technical College in Pine City is receiving a $1.9 million federal grant to support teaching advanced manufacturing technology skills to high school students and out-of-work or underemployed adults.
The college and several industry partners and community organizations are collaborating to build awareness of career possibilities in the field of advanced manufacturing. During the next three years, the college plans to train more than 4,700 people from six counties: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec and Pine counties in Minnesota and Polk and Burnett counties in Wisconsin.
The grant was one of two from the U.S. Department of Labor announced today by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. South Central College, with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato, is also receiving $1.9 million. South Central College will use its to grant to support a new two-year mechatronics degree program that begins this fall. Mechatronics combines electronics, mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics and computer control systems to create new and improved automated manufacturing production systems.
"With the current downturn in the economy, these grants are especially welcome," MnSCU Chancellor James H. McCormick said in a news release. "They will help educate young people and retrain adults for high-demand jobs in important industries."
