Community college adds flexibility for advanced composites manufacturing students

Great Bay Community College (GBCC, Portsmouth, N.H., U.S. ) has added morning classes for its Advanced Composites Manufacturing Certificate, enabling students working the second or third shift to attend classes. The change directly benefits many employees at Safran Aerospace Composites (Rochester, N.H., US).

The program is offered at Great Bay Community College’s Advanced Technology and Academic Center in Rochester. It builds upon the full-time day and evening options, which have been in place since 2013. The academic programming was developed in conjunction with Safran’s move into New Hampshire in 2012, and need to begin hiring technicians in 2013. The relationship between GBCC and Safran also includes customized training for incumbent workers. In addition, all students are taken on a tour of Safran’s facility during their first semester and are guaranteed an interview upon completing the certificate program.

“We wanted to ensure that individuals who do not work conventional hours have access to educational programming that can help them advance in their profession. We know this is attractive for companies such as Safran and BAE Systems, but the advanced manufacturing skills that are incorporated into our program can benefit many manufacturers,” says Debra Mattson, advanced manufacturing program director at GBCC’s Advanced Technology and Academic Center.

“GBCC’s decision to offer morning classes will greatly benefit Safran employees interested in furthering their career in advanced composites and manufacturing. The course offerings provide a great level of flexibility to those who work off-shifts, such as those on the weekends or 2^nd and 3^rd shifts,” adds Jillian Colley, training and development coordinator at Safran.

Learn more about GBCC’s Advanced Composite Manufacturing Certificate and scheduling options at greatbay.edu.