Rochester and Portsmouth, NH – Recognizing that many of its students work full time and need flexibility to further their education, Great Bay Community College (GBCC) has added morning classes for its Advanced Composites Manufacturing Certificate. This change will enable those individuals working the second or third shift to attend classes and directly benefits many employees at Safran Aerospace Compositesin Rochester.
The program is being run out of Great Bay Community College’s Advanced Technology and Education Center in Rochester. It builds upon the full-time day and evening options, which have been in place since 2013. The academic programming was developed in conjunction with Safran’s move into Rochester in 2012 and their plans to begin hiring technicians in 2013. The relationship between GBCC and Safran also includes customized training for incumbent workers. In addition, all students are taken on a tour of Safran’s facility during their first semester and are guaranteed an interview upon completing the certificate program.
“We wanted to ensure that individuals who do not work conventional hours have access to educational programming that can help them advance in their profession. We know this is attractive for companies such as Safran and BAE systems, but the advanced manufacturing skills that are incorporated into our program can benefit many manufacturers,” said Debra Mattson, advanced manufacturing program director at GBCC’s Technical and Academic Center.
The Advanced Composites Manufacturing Certificate is a 24-credit program. Students can go on to earn an Associate degree in Technical Studies, using the certificate as their Technical Specialty. After completing the Associate degree, students may opt to continue on at one of the schools that have articulation agreements with GBCC to earn a Bachelor’s degree.
“GBCC’s decision to offer morning classes will greatly benefit Safran employees interested in furthering their career in advanced composites and manufacturing. The course offerings provide a great level of flexibility to those who work off-shifts, such as those on the weekends or 2ndand 3rdshifts,” said Jillian Colley, training and development coordinator at Safran.
Learn more about GBCC’s Advanced Composite Manufacturing Certificate and its new scheduling options at greatbay.eduor contact Advanced Manufacturing Program Director, Debra Mattson at [email protected] 603-427-7732.
About Great Bay Community College
Great Bay Community College is a comprehensive postsecondary institution offering quality academic and professional and technical education in support of workforce development and lifelong learning. Great Bay Community College is part of the Community College System of New Hampshire, a public system of higher education consisting of seven colleges in Berlin, Claremont, Laconia, Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth. The colleges offer Associate degrees and career training in technical, professional and general fields, including transfer pathways to baccalaureate degrees. The college’s second campus, the Advanced Technology & Academic Center is now open in Rochester offering academic courses and a degree program in Advanced Composites Manufacturing. For more information on Great Bay Community College, visit www.greatbay.edu.
Original Stories: https://www.compositesworld.com/news/community-college-adds-flexibility-for-advanced-composites-manufacturing-students & https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20190205/great-bay-adds-new-classes-in-advanced-composites-program