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State Provides Machining Equipment To
NACC
Northeast Alabama Community College has received a substantial
boost in getting the college’s Industrial Systems Technology
program underway with the Governor’s Office of Workforce
Development providing more than $200,000 worth of machine shop
equipment to the school.
The equipment includes five Clausing 8043
metal lathes, five Atlas 3VS08 mills, and a surface grinder. Dr.
Matthew Hughes, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce
Development, spearheaded the arrangements for NACC to obtain the
equipment after discussions with Mike Kennamer, NACC Director of
Workforce Development and Job Skills training. Hughes has worked
closely with Kennamer and Northeast in setting up the Industrial
Systems Technology program and knew the college could utilize
the equipment. Northeast was recently approved to offer a
certificate and degree options in machine tool technology.
“This is a perfect example of the role of
the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development,” stated
Kennamer. “Among the many things they do is to see that state
resources are placed where they are needed the most.”
The equipment was previously purchased by
the Alabama Industrial Development Training program for a
training program that did not materialize. The equipment, to be
delivered to NACC in late July, is stored in Livingston,
Alabama. Kennamer, along with Steve Avans, chair of the NACC
Machine Tool Technology Advisory Committee, and Ronnie Kisor,
Director of the Alabama Technology Network’s center located at
NACC, recently inspected the equipment and found it to be just
right for the needs of the Northeast program.
“The timing on this is perfect,” stated
Dr. David Campbell, NACC President. “As people know, this is a
tight year for state appropriations for funding in the Alabama
Community College System and this equipment is just what we need
to get our machining program underway. We appreciate Mr. Hughes’
help and leadership on this, as well as the work of Mr.
Kennamer. Our ATN Center, directed by Mr. Ronnie Kisor, is also
helping with the funding of this program. Additionally, the
advice of local businessman Steve Avans also has been
indispensable in regard to the machining option for our
students.”
The college will begin to offer machine
tool classes as early as this fall. Those who are interested in
the program may visit the Northeast Alabama Community College
Web site at www.nacc.edu or call the Office of Workforce
Development at 256-228-6001 or 256-638-4418, ext. 254 for more
information. Machining will be offered as an option in the
Industrial Systems Technology program, which was approved by the
Alabama State Board of Education in June. In addition to
machining, the NACC Industrial Systems Technology program also
will have options in multi-skilled industrial maintenance,
maintenance mechanic, electrical and instrumentation, and
welding.
“This is a program that we think will be
great boost to workforce training for our area,” Campbell
stated. “We also believe that this program can help with local
industrial and economic development recruitment, in that
potential employers will know that this training is available
locally.” The college is renovating a building on campus to
house part of the program as well as looking at other renovation
and building options. Bond monies provided by the state
primarily are being utilized to fund the renovations. For more
information, visit the Workforce Development page at
http://www.nacc.edu/workforce
Northeast Alabama Community College is a
comprehensive community college providing academic transfer
courses, adult education, career programs, business and industry
services, and opportunities for cultural enrichment. The
college’s academic transfer and adult education programs have
been identified as among the top in the Alabama Community
College System, and the college is renowned for its fine arts
and theatre programs.
Steve Avans, of Avans Machine and Tool in
Skyline, evaluates one of the lathes to be assigned to NACC.
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