An aerospace composites facility relies on the area’s technology training resources in order to train its workers in next-generation technology.
{{RELATEDLINKS}}The suburban city of Rochester, New Hampshire,
is modernizing its centuries-old manufacturing
tradition by shifting to space-age production,
focusing on leading-edge sectors such as
composite materials, medical devices, and
aerospace equipment. The Granite State
Business Park is home to a state-of-the-art
aerospace composites facility more than eight
acres in size and utilizing not just the latest in
manufacturing technology, but actually creating
specific new technology to make composite
engine components for the next-generation
LEAP engine. The engine components, as well
as this 343,000-square-foot facility, are the
result of a unique partnership between Albany Engineered Composites, a division of U.S. Albany
International Corp., and Safran Engineered Composites, a division of the French firm Safran, a
global leader in jet engines and aerospace components.
Albany Engineered Composites facility
Satisfying the need for a large number of skilled and semi-skilled employees to be ready
at the opening of the facility was one of the greatest challenges of the location process. In
response to those needs, Great Bay Community College Advanced Technology & Academic
Center (ATAC), which opened in March 2012, offers a focus on technical composites
manufacturing and academic courses for job-seekers and business owners throughout
the region. It was recognized in 2014 as “Project of the Year” by the Northeast Economic
Developer’s Association. “We are proud and grateful for this award, which represents the
culmination of a lot of hard work by people at both the state and local level,” said Great Bay
Community College President Will Arvelo.
In 2015, the college expanded the Advanced Technology & Academic Center (ATAC).
It is currently teaching the sixth cohort of students enrolled in the Advanced Composites
Manufacturing Certificate program, graduating students every four months. According to
Debra Mattson, the curriculum designer, out of the 20 students who recently graduated, all are
currently employed. The program is growing from 60 graduates the first year to more than
200 graduates this year.
Earlier this year, Albany International CEO Joe Morone praised the City of Rochester and
the collaboration of Great Bay Community College Advanced Technology and Academic Center,
as Albany and Safran prepare to kick their manufacturing production into high gear, noting that
the center and the educated workforce “are critical to our success.”