Eastern Gateway to Add Additive Manufacturing
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Eastern Gateway is a unique college with a unique mission and a unique student population.
EGCC students are, on average, 33 years old. They are working, often raising families, and doing something that for many at one time seemed impossible. In fact, the vast majority of these working first-time college students graduate debt-free with a degree.
“We’re excited about our future because we put the needs of our students first,” says Eastern Gateway Community College President Michael Geoghegan.
“Our students range in age from 15 to 75 years old,” he continues. “We have 1,600 high school students taking college courses through the college credit plus program. We’ve made a commitment to reach out to get involved earlier in the lives of our young people in our four core counties – Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson.”
Eastern Gateway is working with America Makes to launch a joint regional workforce education and training initiative aimed at students in grades 5 through 12 and workers in the area who have lost their jobs.
“We received $3.5 million from the state in partnership with America Makes for this initiative. We are going to use the money to help displaced workers and young students with a focus on low-income and minority populations. This money is making a difference in lives,” says Arthur Daly, Eastern Gateway senior vice president and chief development officer.
Eastern Gateway and America Makes also are developing courses in additive manufacturing. The salaries for additive technicians range from $45,000 to $120,000 a year with many in the $60,000 to $80,000 range.
“Our additive manufacturing students will graduate prepared to take jobs in an industry that is growing, pays well and needs skilled workers,” Daly says. “The $3.5 million is also an endorsement from the state that Eastern Gateway is making a difference in the lives of so many people.”
Eastern Gateway received another vote of confidence when it was awarded $914,000 in federal funds for an electric vehicle training program that includes a focus on installation of technology and equipment.
Eastern Gateway has been working with Ultium Cells to train its workforce in the electric cell industry, and the college is developing the EV training program to work with other EV partners in the Mahoning Valley.
“We have been on the forefront of the EV industry. This grant positions Eastern Gateway to be a leader in training workers for an industry that is dynamic and explosive,” Dal
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
