Montrose – The Colorado Mesa University Montrose economic report recently highlighted a recovering and improving economy in Montrose. Western Colorado Community College, a division of CMU, is responding to new workforce needs by offering both welding and machining college coursework at the CMU Montrose Campus. WCCC initiated the offerings to high school students in fall 2018 and announced new courses for college students beginning in January 2019.
“Credit for these new offerings belongs to the City of Montrose, Montrose County and area businesses who communicated their need for more workforce training,” said CMU President Tim Foster. “They spoke and we listened. Now both college and high school students in Montrose can receive this technical training without leaving their families and community.”
This effort to enhance the region’s workforce will be on display Thursday, November 1, during the second annual Montrose Manufacturers Expo. Brigitte Sundermann, vice president of community college affairs, will be in attendance promoting the new classes, which will be held at the newly repurposed Sturm Family Manufacturing Center on the Montrose Campus.
“What better place to get the word out about these new
William Woody, Public Information Officer with the City of Montrose, revealed a sentiment widely held by other expo attendees: the value of the new
“The City of Montrose recognizes the importance of technical training here in Montrose,” said Woody. “We appreciate CMU and WCCC listening to our feedback related to new technical program offerings and this partnership is valued by manufacturers and businesses here in our community.”
Businesses with emerging workforce needs are encouraged to communicate those to WCCC. Enrollment for the new welding and machining courses begins November 6. Media and members of the public interested in a facility tour are encouraged to attend the expo.