Southeastern Community College (SCC) was awarded a nearly $650,000 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This money will be used to refine its industrial technology program for the Keokuk campus.
This three-year grant will allow the college to update its current Industrial Maintenance Technology program, which will infuse more training in automation and robotics technologies.
SCC president Dr. Michael Ash says the grant will fund the college’s ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of skills training for area workers and employers.
“Our region is only as strong as our workforce,” said Ash. “These enhancements mean that future graduates will be even better suited to step into the high-skill positions that area manufacturers need to stay competitive. It’s a win for everyone.”
The ATE grant program focuses on the education of technicians who work in high-tech fields that drive the nation’s economy. This is SCC’s first-ever ATE grant and is spread across a three-year timeframe with milestones each year. In addition to instruction updates and equipment upgrades, the plan includes career awareness and exploration initiatives for Lee County K-12 school districts.
If you’d like to read more about this, visit SCCIowa.edu.