Gadsden State Community College is expanding the popular “earn while you learn” education model to a new program known as the Consortium of Machining Education Training. It will be on the East Broad Campus in Gadsden and the Ayers Campus in Anniston.
“This hybrid work-based apprenticeship program allows students to attend classes two days a week while simultaneously working for an industry partner,” said Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development. “CoMeT’s cutting-edge curriculum supports precision machining and advanced manufacturing with paid working experiences.”
A precision machinist is a skilled professional who operates and maintains machinery to fabricate metal, plastic or other materials with high precision and accuracy. They work with a variety of machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, grinders and computer numerical control machines to produce components with tight tolerances according to specific engineering drawings or blueprints.
Through the CoMeT program, students will take classes at Gadsden State two days a week and work for an industry partner for three days a week. Completers of the program will graduate with an Associate in Applied Science in Precision Machining.
Gadsden State plans to accept up to 31 students in its first cohort. Scholarships are available. There is no GPA requirement for acceptance. An essay of 300 to 500 words detailing how CoMeT will help the student achieve life goals is required. Students will participate in interviews with industry partners.
There are 12 industry partners who have agreed to hire CoMeT students with a pay of at least $15 per hour. Students will work a minimum of 24 hours per week. Partners in Etowah County include Choice Fabricators, Gadsden Tool Inc., Prince Metal Stamping, Stamped Products Inc. and Weaver Diversified Industries.
The deadline to apply to CoMeT is March 29.
For more information, go to www.gadsdenstate.edu/comet. Application questions may be directed to Andy Robertson, coordinator of Workforce Development, at arobertson@gadsdenstate.edu.