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.
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):
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.