(KNSI) — St. Cloud State University has been named by the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, in partnership with the Department of Defense’s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization office, as one of two schools in the state chosen as a new machine tool workforce development center via the America’s Cutting Edge, or ACE, program.
The program is a national initiative aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, and SCSU was selected along with the University of St. Thomas to provide training in manufacturing across the state. The program will use a 53-foot semi-trailer as its mobile training center, which the school says will be ideal for reaching rural communities.
The first step is training teachers in the network this fall and will drive the fully equipped unit to qualifying schools and companies by the spring – all at no cost.
“We are building on our strengths here at SCSU as ACE will expand the training opportunities of our TEC Network. The addition of making this program available through SCSU’s mobile platform allows us to take this much-needed training opportunity on the road as we reach teachers and students across Minnesota,” said Dr. Kurt Helgeson, an SCSU professor in the Department of Environmental and Technological Studies and ACE Program Director. Via a press release, Dr. Helgeson added, “The ACE initiative aligns with SCSU’s focus on providing innovative learning experiences to serve a need and meet the demands of our workforce.”
ACE has two parts. The first is online requirements covering an introduction to computers, numerical control machining and 3D modeling using Fusion 360. There are other courses added in metrology, composites and cybersecurity. After completing that, students become qualified to do hands on lab training.
ACE now has regional machine tool training centers in nine states, providing free online and in-person training for the machine tool industry.
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