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Quinsigamond Community College Chosen for National Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® Summer Youth Camp

Contact: Meredith Galena 508.854.7498
mgalena [at] qcc.mass.edu

Release Date: 
3/17/2010

Worcester, Ma – Quinsigamond Community College has been chosen as one of only 17 colleges in the country to participate in a national youth manufacturing camp. This summer, QCC will offer a Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® manufacturing summer camp for middle school students. Designed to help inspire the next generation of inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs and manufacturers, the camp is a technical, hands-on experience to introduce students to 21st century manufacturing technology and basic entrepreneurial skills.

“This is exciting news for the College,” said Gail Carberry, President of QCC. “The Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® camp is the perfect extension to our youth outreach efforts regarding manufacturing and technology-related concepts and careers, as well as our focus on the importance of entrepreneurship for young people.”

QCC has worked extensively with the Massachusetts Technology Education/ Engineering Collaborative, also known as Mass-TEC, to bring manufacturing and technology opportunities to area youths, while also offering popular robotics and technology camps for middle schoolers. Thanks to a $4,000 grant from Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), QCC will implement its summer program in August.

At QCC’s “Camp COMET” – Creative Opportunities in Manufacturing, Entrepreneurship, and Technology – students will explore 3D design, computer numerical control (CNC) programming, welding, machining, entrepreneurship and more, while emphasizing product creation, problem solving and team building. Visits to area manufacturers will provide an up-close look at products
being made as well as career advice and inspiration from the entrepreneurs who run the companies.

“Participants will use technology to create a product from start to finish, providing them practical experience to build their confidence and set a foundation if they choose a career in manufacturing," said Jean McLean, Camp COMET team leader and QCC's Coordinator of Business Administration and Related Programs. "There is an ever- increasing demand for highly skilled professionals who can design, program and operate technology, and this camp allows students to learn about these opportunities.”

The Quinsigamond Community College camp is part of a national program developed by Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs®, the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (NBT), and the NACCE. Camps will be offered at NACCE member community colleges throughout the United States.

About NBT

NBT has been introducing young people to careers in the trades since 2004 through manufacturing summer camps for youth. It also issues scholarships to students at colleges and trade schools pursuing studies that lead to careers in manufacturing. More information on NBT is available by visiting www.NutsAndBoltsFoundation.org. Based in Rockford, Ill., the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International, is a professional organization with more than 2,100 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. Learn more at www.fmanet.org.

About NACCE

NACCE connects community college administrators and faculty with knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurial thinking, entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. NACCE holds an annual conference, and produces monthly podcasts and webinars. It also publishes a quarterly journal, hosts a dynamic list-serve, develops web resources such as shared entrepreneurship curricula and syllabi for faculty, creates guides in beginning and sustaining entrepreneurship and student business incubation programs, as well as tips for grant proposals specific to entrepreneurial endeavors at community colleges. For more information, visit www.nacce.com.

Quinsigamond Community College is the most affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.