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Our Need

Two New Programs

Working with industry partners, FRCC proposes the creation of two new programs. Both will train workers for the types of new manufacturing jobs prevalent in northern Colorado. Focus groups of industry representatives approved the program sequences and competencies in 2017.

Students who complete the first year of core classes will earn a certificate in Industrial Maintenance Technology. For those who continue, a third semester will allow them to earn a certificate in Industrial Automation and Robotics. Students who successfully complete the full two-year program will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automation and Engineering Technology. 

Students completing the first year will earn a certificate in Electronics Engineering Technology, with some courses applicable to industrial maintenance. The second year builds on these skills with additional courses in automation technology. The program is similar to Automation and Engineering Technology but with a concentration on electrical and electronics competencies.

Center for Integrated Manufacturing

A Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) will house the existing machining and optics programs as well as the new Automation and Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology programs. The CIM will be central to FRCC’s service area for easy access from the Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins-Loveland metro areas. Approximately 30,000 square feet of space will be leased for classrooms, offices, and shop space to allow effective education and training for both future and incumbent manufacturing workers. FRCC will pay to renovate a building and to move and install our current equipment. 

Equipment and Facilities Needs

Equipment for the Automation and Engineering Technology and the Electronics Engineering programs will cost $2 million.       

With this equipment and accompanying curricula, instructors will  train students in simulated industrial environments. The following classes would be offered (listed with their equipment costs and space needs):

At $1,528,200, this program has the largest need for equipment: 

  • Industrial Wiring
  • Motors and Controls
  • Lifting Devices
  • Industrial Rotating Equipment
  • Fluid Power & Controls
  • Programmable Logic Controllers
  • Basic Refrigeration
  • Instrument and Process Control II
  • Robotics Technologies and Automation Lab

Requires 8,000 square feet for classrooms and shop space for the industrial trainers that are to be purchased.

$260,000 is needed to purchase:

  • 2 CNC mills
  • 2 CNC lathes

Machining needs 12,000 square feet. Classes in the credit program are currently full each semester. Separately from this capital campaign, additional equipment would be purchased to enable an increase in students per class. The new leased building would include 2,000 additional square feet for this expansion.

$78,000 is needed for this equipment:

  • Horizontal grinder
  • Spindles for polishing, grinding, and beveling
  • Slicing saw
  • Interferometer
  • Vacuum coating chamber
  • Additional smaller lab equipment

Requires 2,000 square feet.

$50,000 is needed to purchase:

  • Electrical meters
  • Scopes
  • Power supplies
  • Soldering irons

Requires 2,000 square feet, which includes classrooms and offices.

Central Location

FRCC has analyzed the concentration of manufacturing companies in our service area and the addresses of our current manufacturing program students. An ideal site has been identified near Longmont, easily accessible via Highway 287. By centralizing these programs, students coming from anywhere in the service area would have faster, easier access to classes—which is expected to lead to a significant increase in enrollment. 

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The Center for Integrated Manufacturing will be central to FRCC’s service area for easy access from the Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins-Loveland metro areas.
Instructors will  train students in simulated industrial environments.
By centralizing these programs, students coming from anywhere in the service area would have faster, easier access to classes.