Lab Development Funding Provided to Support the Much-Needed Addition of Industry Professionals to the Local Workforce

FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS), a global leader in highly engineered, precision power conversion, measurement, and control solutions, and Front Range Community College (FRCC), Colorado’s largest community college, today announced a partnership to help fund the college’s new Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM).

AE will invest $200,000 in cash and equipment to fund the creation of the Advanced Energy Electronics Lab at the CIM. The 27,000-square-foot CIM facility will offer students a state-of-the-art lab and classroom facilities to enhance their learning experience, allowing them to gain a hands-on career understanding prior to entering the workforce full-time. In addition to this donation, AE will provide students internships, scholarships and job opportunities.

“There is a shortage of advanced manufacturing professionals in Colorado’s workforce,” said Andy Dorsey, president of Front Range Community College. “In partnerships with companies like Advanced Energy, we can educate skilled workers to help the state economy thrive.”

Around 6,000 manufacturers currently operate in Colorado, employing 5.5 percent of the state's workforce. These companies also account for 93 percent of the state’s exports and 7.3 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.

“Front Range Community College is committed to manufacturing and engineering technology,” said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, who visited manufacturer Hirsh Precision Products in Niwot with FRCC officials earlier this year. “Colorado is leading the way in encouraging high-quality career and technical education programs to train the next generation of workers for success in the 21st century.”

“I’m thrilled Advanced Energy is partnering with Front Range Community College to create the new high-tech Center for Integrated Manufacturing,” said U.S. Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado. “This partnership will provide the skills necessary to build a world-class manufacturing workforce right here in Colorado, and I’m excited to see the results of this new program. The need for a skilled workforce is something employers around Colorado talk about - this addresses the need.”

FRCC has committed $6.2 million to develop the CIM with two goals in mind:

• Increasing training options for students interested in pursuing manufacturing careers; and
• Supporting area businesses – and the local and state economies.

The college plans to start two new programs at the CIM:

• Electronics Engineering Technology; and
• Automation and Engineering Technology.

These programs will join the existing Optics Technology and Precision Machining programs currently located at FRCC’s Boulder County campus.

AE’s investment in the lab is a significant stride towards creating the CIM. The college is raising $2 million to fully fund the new $8 million facility.

“We are proud to support Front Range Community College in its efforts in developing much needed technical talent through exceptional curriculum, as well as in improving the economic outlook of Colorado,” said John Williams, vice president, global services at Advanced Energy. “Supporting our state’s schools is an important commitment for Advanced Energy, and our investment in the CIM further demonstrates our continued support of the Colorado Front Range.”

The CIM is slated to open in August 2019. To learn more, please visit the center’s website.

About Advanced Energy

Advanced Energy (Nasdaq: AEIS) is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of highly engineered, precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions for mission-critical applications and processes. AE’s power solutions enable customer innovation in complex semiconductor and industrial manufacturing applications. With engineering know-how and responsive service and support around the globe, the company builds collaborative partnerships to meet technology advances, propel growth for its customers and innovate the future of power. Advanced Energy has devoted more than three decades to perfecting power for its global customers and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. For more information, visit www.advancedenergy.com.

Advanced Energy | Precision. Power. Performance.

About Front Range Community College

FRCC offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County, Westminster, Brighton, and online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.

About the Colorado Community College System

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 138,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 39 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181212005183/en/

Priya Dua / Lora Wilson
Global Results Communications for Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
aei@globalresultspr.com
+1 949.306.0276

Jessica Peterson
PR Director, Front Range Community College
Jessica.peterson@frontrange.edu
+1 303.404.5133

Source: Advanced Energy