New Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center at Keene State College
KEENE, N.H., 2/12/2010 - Keene community leaders, educators, and legislators gathered in Keene State College’s Rapid Prototype Laboratory on February 12, 2010, to officially launch The Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM), a new partnership between Keene State College, the Keene School District, River Valley Community College, and the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce.
“This partnership will ready the Monadnock Region to compete in the next economy by linking business and education resources to establish and support a talent supply-chain for a new generation of precision manufacturing jobs,” said Keene State College President Helen Giles-Gee. She noted that the College’s Rapid Prototype Laboratory is an example of the high-technology learning environment RCAM will provide to students and workers.
The Monadnack Region has more than 70 high-tech manufacturing companies, but firms throughout the state report that it is increasingly difficult to recruit skilled NH employees. RCAM, based at Keene State, will offer educational and training opportunities for both new students and experienced and transitioning workers, and provide access to essential technological equipment and laboratories. The center’s educational partners, working with area businesses, are linking curricula to provide connected educational pathways that mesh with the needs of the business community. The linked levels of education will include high school preparatory courses, corporate-sponsored professional development classes, and two- and four-year degree programs which will allow students and workers opportunities to continue to advance their education without loss of credit and advance in their careers.
“I commend this commitment to the partnership of business and education, working collaboratively to move precision manufacturing forward by providing educated, skilled employees,” said NH Senator Molly Kelly, who helped to originate the RCAM concept. Congressman Paul Hodes proposed and supported targeted funding of $300,000 for RCAM in the FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
