College seeks to mold career-ready students

Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC) recently hosted a thank you event for the donation of Mazak equipment and a collaborative meeting with 3M. The two events were part of its ongoing efforts to work directly with regional and statewide industries to mold career-ready students.

These events came on the heels of a recent report by Wilder Research. The report indicates that the college directly and indirectly generates $71 million in the regional economy, $1.3 million of which supports wholesale trade businesses like 3M and ATCC’s industry donors.

Additionally, the report estimates that the skills that ATCC graduates obtain during their studies amount to $23.1 million in future value to the West Central region and all of Minnesota.

The Machine Tool Technology program held the thank you event in recognition of the general financial donations of industry partners to purchase two new Mazak equipment center and associated tools.

With the help of matching funds from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, ATCC received nearly $200,000 for the purchase of new equipment.

ATCC held a separate event to welcome and speak with managers of 3M plants from around the region. 3M visited ATCC’s Mechatronics program to discuss 3M’s future employment needs.

Managers from 3M assessed the facilities and curricula to determine their potential alignment with 3M workforce needs.

ATCC and 3M are currently developing a collaborative program to promote enrollment in the Mechatronics program. Graduates of the Machine Tool Technology and Mechatronics programs have demonstrated an awareness of the shifting needs of companies such as 3M.

Both programs boast post-graduation employment rates of 100 percent.

For more information, contact Rebekah Summer, director of institutional research and communication, at (320) 762-4612 or at RebekahS@alextech.edu.

Tags: business