The purpose of this grant is to assist Blue Ridge Community College with the development of a mechatronics AAS degree program. Local employers have indicated that 300 advanced manufacturing jobs will be added in the region by 2013 and many more will be added thereafter. Additional training capacity is needed to prepare workers for these jobs and develop a career pathway for future workers. Blue Ridge Community College will work with public school systems in Transylvania and Henderson counties to bring the mechatronics training to high school students. Golden LEAF funds will be used primarily to purchase equipment which will be used by college and high schools students and to renovate training facilities.
