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
