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Steve LaPointe, right, and Ronald P. Coderre. Courtesy photo.

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

The Putnam Rotary Club, a group of 55 professional businessmen and women, received a lesson in manufacturing at its weekly meeting May 26.

Stephen LaPointe the Manufacturing Technology Center director at Quinebaug Valley Community College, the guest speaker, informed Rotarians on the history of the program as well as its successes.  He also pointed out the fact that there is a significant need for qualified individual in the manufacturing sector in northeastern Connecticut.

A 1976 graduate of Putnam High School with a Post Graduate degree from H.H. Ellis Technical School in 1978, LaPointe who was a self-employed businessman for 35 years has been at the college since the inception of the program in 2013.

“The opportunity came along to lead development of a program at the college to train our area workforce to meet the needs of our manufacturing businesses in northeast Connecticut.  I’m so involved in the program that it’s become my passion,” said LaPointe about his position.

The AMTC program is nine months of hands on training and classroom education.  Individuals in the program are placed in area sites as interns where some earn $14 per hour.  Credits earned in the program can be applied to an Associate’s Degree in Technology Studies.  

QVCC’s AMTC program has graduated 77 students since 2013.  Approximately 85% of the graduates have been placed in jobs in a variety of industries throughout Eastern Connecticut.  The success of the program, which is currently running at H.H. Ellis Technical School, has warranted the building of a $5 million center funded by the State on the QVCC campus.  This 10,000 square foot space is expected to be opening in the fall of 2016.

According to LaPointe, currently certificates focus on fundamental machining competencies and Computer Numerical Control programming and machining.  Plans are on the drawing board to expand the offerings into Quality Inspection, Metrology and Mechatronics.

Recent statistics indicate Connecticut ranks #2 in the nation in high-tech employment.  Connecticut manufacturers employ more than 168,000 people.  Many of Northeastern Connecticut industries and machine shops, such as Whitcraft Corp., Linemaster Switch, Putnam Plastics, Spirol International and Westminster Tool have hired graduates of the AMTC program.

“It’s extremely rewarding to witness the transition of the students as they enter the program with little or no skills and leave looking forward to productive employment,” said LaPointe.

The program provides incentives such as financial aid for qualifying students, potential paid internships, opportunities for scholarships and assistance with job placement upon successful completion of the program.  

The program is funded by the Connecticut Advanced Manufacturing Initiative as implemented by the United States Employment and Training Administration.  Information regarding the specifics of admission can be acquired by contacting LaPointe at 860 932-4111 or by e-mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Quinebaug Valley Community College is located at 742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, CT 06239.