NW-SCC expanding machinery, CNC program

Northwest-Shoals Community College is expanding the school’s Machine Tool/CNC program through the addition of a new $1 million, Advanced Manufacturing Training Center on the Shoals Campus. 

According to NW-SCC Machine Tool/CNC Instructor, Tim Maupin, the Shoals campus program has virtually doubled in size.

“We have gone from a facility of 8,400 square feet to one that is 15,000,”  Maupin said.

“We can now train approximately 80 students. Previously, we could train no more than 40 students at a time.”

The opening of the newly renovated 15,000 square foot building which houses the Machine Tool/CNC program includes two large classrooms, a computer lab, instructor’s office space, sanitation facilities, tool storage, and large areas for training on machine and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment.

According to NW-SCC President Humphrey Lee, the program upgrades and renovations have helped NW-SCC transition into one of the top machine tool training facilities in the state.

“The past nine months have been huge for our Machine Tool & CNC program,” Lee said.

“We can now train more students on equipment equal to or better than what they will use when they filter into the workforce. I believe these upgrades will prove extremely beneficial to them as they enter the job market.” 

The renovation/construction of the facility is funded through Public School and College Authority (PSCA) Bond funds.

The Advanced Manufacturing Training Center is furnished with state-of-the-art equipment due to a $1.9 million Department of Labor Job Training Grant NW-SCC received in 2009.