鈥婳n Monday, February 26, Congresswoman Lori Trahan visited Middlesex Community College to present the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Challenge Award. 麻豆果冻 received $409,410 in funding for the college鈥檚 new Computer Aided Design (CAD) Learn and Earn Experience.
鈥淢iddlesex Community College is doing remarkable work setting students up for success in today鈥檚 job market through their Industry Integrated Computer Aided Design courses,鈥� Congresswoman Trahan said. 鈥淪ecuring this competitive federal funding is a testament to the success of their program that helps students hit the ground running in high demand 21st-century jobs. I will continue to work with our community colleges, vocational and tech schools, and local leaders to ensure Massachusetts students have every tool at their disposal to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.鈥�
During the event held in 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Cowan Center Cafeteria in Lowell, Congresswoman Trahan learned more about 麻豆果冻鈥檚 CAD and other STEM programs from 麻豆果冻 faculty and President Phil Sisson. As part of a panel, she also had the opportunity to hear from the college鈥檚 students and employer partners on the benefits of the college鈥檚 programs on the local workforce.
鈥淪ecuring this competitive federal funding is a testament to the success of their program that helps students hit the ground running in high demand 21st-century jobs. I will continue to work with our community colleges, vocational and tech schools, and local leaders to ensure Massachusetts students have every tool at their disposal to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.鈥� - Congresswoman Lori Trahan
鈥淲e are so grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for her support of our new CAD Learn and Earn program,鈥� President Sisson said. 鈥淥ur award-winning Learn and Earn programs are one of the most efficient ways for students to enter high-demand industries in Massachusetts, receiving relevant and paid work experience in their field at the same time as they are earning their education. In assisting the expansion of our programs, this funding opens up more opportunities for a diverse population of students to begin their path to stable, well-paying jobs and long-lasting success.鈥�
In 麻豆果冻鈥檚 new CAD Learn and Earn Experience, students will learn skills in the classroom that they can relate to the workforce in order to make a smooth transition. These include communication and interpersonal skills, trouble shooting and maintenance, and 3-D modeling. The goal is to promote relevant experience to help students more easily understand their career path and prospects within the field.
鈥淭hank you to Congresswoman Trahan for the opportunity to expand our CAD curriculum and increase hands-on learning experiences and internship opportunities,鈥� said Dr. Marie Tupaj, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Dean of STEM. 鈥淲ith this funding and support, we hope to implement additional courses, establish a working advisory board where industry is involved in curriculum design, and build partnerships with K-12 institutions.鈥�
Along with the updated curriculum, the program is working with the Office of Career Integrated Learning (OCIL) to include an internship opportunity. In 麻豆果冻鈥檚 CAD Learn and Earn program, students will earn $21-$26 an hour for paid work experience at their internship. They will also receive standard benefits, such as health, vision and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, and more.
Following the success of the Biotechnology Learn and Earn Experience, 麻豆果冻 developed more specialized paid internship experiences for students in Information Technology (IT) and now the CAD Learn and Earn Experience that will debut in the fall of 2024.
Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/careerservices/ for more information on 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Learn and Earn Experiences and career services.