By Amy Bounds, Times-Call
Starting this year, St. Vrain Valley high school students have the opportunity to learn manufacturing skills to prepare them for careers in machining, engineering, welding, electronics and optics.
The new Advanced Manufacturing Academy is located at Longmont’s Career Development Center, taking over space left by the Innovation Academy’s move to a standalone building. The program is starting with four sessions of the “Principles of Manufacturing” class. About 60 students are enrolled in the introductory yearlong class.
“All the students are super motivated,” said Career Development Center Director Deniece Cook. “We’re super excited about their engagement.”
Skills to be covered in the introductory class include basics of 3D-design software, blueprinting, mechanical engineering, optics, electrical systems, fabrication and machining. Students are starting by learning machining, including safety and manufacturing terminology.