Southern Maine Community College launched the Maine Advanced Technology and Engineering Center at its Brunswick campus.
The facility is the first of three advanced manufacturing training centers addressing Maine’s manufacturing and defense workforce needs. The others are at the University of Maine, which opened in August, and at SMCC’s South Portland campus, set to launch online soon.
“This new lab directly supports the workforce needs we hear from Maine employers every day,” said Jim Whitten, dean of the SMCC workforce development and the midcoast campus.
“By expanding hands-on, Industry 4.0 training right here at midcoast, we’re giving students and incumbent workers the skills that manufacturers are asking for — robotics, automation, digital systems and advanced production technologies.”
The midcoast facility includes training spaces for welding, metal work, basic electrical, fabrication and other skills.
There’s also an “Industry 4.0” area for robotics, automation, digital simulation and next-generation production systems. It offers hands-on training in robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical simulation.
The center is part of a broader initiative supported by $7 million in federal funding, led by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine 2nd District, and backed by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine.
The initiative aims to create a statewide advanced manufacturing network. UMaine requested and secured the funding and is a partner sub-awardee.