CARSON CITY– The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) will launch an advanced manufacturing rapid response program after approval of a $2 million grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
GOED’s director, Michael Brown, said expanding skilled training offerings and preparing more workers for jobs in manufacturing is an opportunity to help more workers get back on their feet after job losses due to COVID-19.
The funding comes out of the State of Nevada’s Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) fund to support companies looking to expand or locate their business operation in Nevada with training programs that will equip workers with the skills needed by employers. Companies including Haas Automation, Inc., are already working with CSN to help meet their training needs.
According to Dr. Federico Zaragoza, College of Southern Nevada President, these trainings will result in students being able to obtain Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) industry-recognized certifications, including: the MSSC Certified Production Technician; MSSC Certified Logistics Technician; and the NIMS CNC Machining Operator certification, which provides a pathway to Mechatronics and Robotics degrees.
CSN is partnering with the Haas Automation, Inc to expand Advanced Manufacturing workforce training offerings in southern Nevada. The WINN grant will enable the development of two new middle skill training programs in this growing industry where there are no programs: Production Technician and Machine Operator. This expansion will bridge entry level training currently available to developing longer term manufacturing training programs to facilitate rapid reemployment strategies.
The funding will include more than a $1 million investment in equipment and infrastructure needed to conduct the training. The program is expected to begin enrolling trainees by January 2021 and aims to train at least 200 Nevadans each year.
