This grant provided funding to Johnston County Community College (JCCC) to address a significant unmet need for qualified fabricators in the region. Five area employers identified more than 100 existing and 130 new fabrication positions that needed to be filled. The college established a new fabrication program and became a Certified Education Center through the Fabricators and Manufacturer’s Association. This program allowed the college to provide specialized training for incumbent workers, added a fabrication curriculum into its existing welding degree program, and offered a stand-alone certificate option. In addition, to helping build the region’s future pipeline of welders and fabricators, the project hosted manufacturing summer camps for middle and high school students. Outcomes for the project included 54 college students and incumbent workers earning relevant third-party certifications, and 30 middle and high school students participating in the manufacturing summer camp. Golden LEAF funds were used for the purchase and installation of new fabrication equipment, including software and educator training, as well as costs associated with the summer camps.
