CVTC’S Industrial Mechanics Program

Chippewa Valley Technical College was recently awarded two grants from the National Science Foundation, which when combined with an April award total almost $1.7 million. These three grants will support the college’s mission to provide cutting-edge education in manufacturing technology, and expand efforts to share information with other academic institutions. Funds will benefit students at CVTC campuses in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and River Falls, as well as area high school students and employers. April’s grant of more than $567,000 will be used to expand courses related to 3-D printing – otherwise known as additive manufacturing – with the creation of a fabrication laboratory that will be available to students and local entrepreneurs. The largest of the three grants, worth nearly $600,000, will be used to enhance cyber-physical systems offerings, and the remaining grant of nearly $525,000 will be used to develop a Robotics Operator Certification training program through curriculum development and equipment purchases.  “Manufacturing technology changes rapidly today and it’s critical that CVTC keep up with the latest developments,” said Jeff Sullivan, dean of engineering and skilled trades at CVTC. “By working in partnership with our area manufacturing industries and our partners in the K-12 school systems, we can help industry adopt the latest technology and provide them with workers trained to use it. We are thankful to the National Science Foundation for supporting us in these efforts.”