Photo (left to right): Gordon Williams (RSCC Program Director of Mechatronics and Robotics), Tom Lewison (RSCC instructor), Dr. Sylvia Pastor (RSCC Chemistry faculty, and Lead Coordinator of Lab-in-a-Box)
October 4, 2022
Roane State is proud to announce its workforce training partnership with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) as the community college becomes just the third location in the State of Tennessee to offer specialized no-cost machine tool training opportunities through America’s Cutting Edge (ACE).
ACE is a joint Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DOE) effort launched in 2020 to reestablish American leadership in the machine tool industry through transformative thinking, technology innovation and workforce development.
Expanding the number of training centers is a key part of ACENet, the emerging national network of regional machine tools innovation and workforce development centers. Through ACE, DoD’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program established a national CNC machining training program developed by University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) professor Tony Schmitz. The programbrings together the scientific expertise of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility and the proven workforce development capabilities of IACMI. Roane State now joins UTK and Pellissippi State Community College as ACE training centers in Tennessee.
“All of us at Roane State are so excited to partner with IACMI and become an official ACE training center, expanding this excellent national initiative in our communities,” said Teresa Duncan, the college’s vice president of workforce and community development. “Projects like ACE are the ones that will make a big impact on our students, our communities and local businesses.”
“The need for skilled individuals in the machine tool industry is urgent and only expected to grow,” added Roane State President Chris Whaley. “This partnership is just one of many ways we are working to expand our pipeline to local industry and ensure they have the workforce they need to succeed.”
Through ACE, participants can receive free online training and qualify for hands-on, in-person training in the machine tool industry. No prior training or experience is required.
To date, ACE has delivered online courses in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining to more than 2,800 students from all 50 states and in-person bootcamp style training to more than 150 students, all at no cost to participants.
The first Roane State opportunity for local training will be a CNC Bootcamp held at Oak Ridge High School October 10-14, 2022. The camp will tailor its program for current Middle College students in Mechatronics and recent graduates of the program as well as dual enrollment and area high school students.
Additional information is available online at AmericasCuttingEdge.org. Registration for online training is also available at the site by clicking “Register for ACE” and entering the required information. Be sure to choose Roane State Community College as your associated ACE program.
About Roane State Community College
Roane State is a two-year college providing transfer programs, career-preparation programs and continuing education. Founded in 1971, the college has locations in Roane, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, and Scott counties as well as a branch campus in Oak Ridge. For more information, visit roanestate.edu or call (865) 882-4554. Remember, eligible adults can now attend Roane State tuition-free with the new Reconnect grant. Learn more at roanestate.edu/reconnect.
About IACMI – The Composites Institute
IACMI – The Composites Institute is a 130-plus member community of industry, universities, national laboratories, and federal, state, and local government agencies working together to accelerate advanced composites design, manufacturing, technical innovation, and workforce solutions to enable a cleaner and more sustainable, more secure, and more competitive U.S. economy. IACMI is managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS), a not-for-profit organization established by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation. A Manufacturing USA institute, IACMI is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, as well as key state and industry partners.
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.
