PBSC opens new Center for Engineering Technology at Boca Raton campus

 

Palm Beach State College opened The Center for Engineering Technology on its Boca Raton campus on Nov. 19 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The 3,600-foot center is equipped with state-of-the-art robotics and automation systems and will support 30 different classes. “PBSC is pioneering the training of the future workforce for automated manufacturing with this new center,” said PBSC’s Associate Dean for workforce development Bob O’Dea.

The center was made possible thanks to the generous support of PBSC’s longstanding industry partners, aviation giant Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, which designs and manufactures aircraft engines and SV Microwave, which designs and manufactures design and manufactures radio-frequency and microwave components used in many different industries.  “This is a big day for the Boca Raton campus as this new center allows us to expand our offerings in an industry where there are high wage jobs,” said Van P. Williams, provost and dean of PBSC’s Boca Raton campus.

The new center will enable students to get the kind of hands-on practical experience companies look for in new hires. “PBSC provides students with the course work and hands-on training and lab experience that is relevant to our industry,” said Doug Breindel, Pratt & Whitney’s Engineering Discipline Chief. “It’s hard to find qualified employees but PBSC gives students that first step.”

Former PBSC alumnae and current Manufacturing Development Engineer Manager at SV Microwave Daniel Cerdeira agreed with Breindel. “It’s hard to find locals with strong hands-on experience and technical knowledge,” he said. “PBSC students are better aligned to the type of workforce we need.”

In addition to generously providing funding for the new center, PBSC’s engineering industry partners support the College by offering students paid internships which often result in a full-time job after graduation. Some employers such as SV Microwave will even sponsor full-time employees who want to continue to get their bachelor’s degree.

“A real benefit of our industry partnerships are the experience and mentorship students gain,” said Kimberly PBSC’s Dean, Workforce Education and Development.

Click here to view more photos of the event.