BRCC Intro to Advanced Manufacturing

In partnership with the University of Virginia and the National Science Foundation, Blue Ridge Community College is offering high schoolers the opportunity to explore careers in Advanced Manufacturing, while also earning as many as 13 college credits. Through funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), these three courses are being offered free of charge.

Any 9th-12th grade high school student with STEM interests are encouraged to apply. Students should have a strong understanding of basic math skills and be able to think critically. Register through the links below!

Information Technology Programming (ITP)

Synchronous On-Line Instruction

June 15, 2021 - July 29, 2021
Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9:00 – 11:00 am via Zoom

ITP 100 – Software Design: This three-credit course provides an introduction to design and creativity through use of computers to create art and music. The course also serves as an introduction to computational thinking – the art of developing a solution in a form that can be implemented by a computer. The goal of the course is not to prepare students to work in the field of computer science. Rather, it is to enable participants to use computers for personal enrichment through applications in the digital humanities. There are no prerequisites.

To register for ITP 100, please email Kevin Ratliff (RatliffK@brcc.edu)

Manufacturing Specialist (MS)

Format: In-Person

August 16, 2021 - January 5, 2022
Mondays/Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Students will learn the math, measurement, and spatial reasoning skills related to high performance manufacturing and production through classroom work, team projects, and activities. The Manufacturing Specialist certification can be converted to a four-credit college course (IND 165 Principles of Industrial Technology) which can be applied to BRCC’s Advanced Manufacturing AAS degrees or Career Studies Certificates.

Manufacturing Tech I (MT1)

Format TBD: Online or In-Person

January 2022 - May 2022
Mondays/Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Students will continue learning the math, measurement, and spatial reasoning skills related to high performance manufacturing and production. Additionally, students will be introduced to the business acumen used in Advanced Manufacturing. The Manufacturing Technician I certification can be converted to a three-credit college course (IND 181 World Class Manufacturing) which can be applied to BRCC’s Advanced Manufacturing AAS degrees or Career Studies Certificates. Students will also have the option to gain another three credit course in mathematics (Math 111 Technical Mathematics) through BRCC’s credit by exam.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant Purpose

The purpose of this NSF grant is to provide rising high school seniors the opportunity to learn about advanced manufacturing concepts and the associated career paths. Students completing the certifications may choose to interview with a local manufacturing facility if they wish to enter the workforce upon graduating from high school. Others may choose to apply the certification towards college credit and enter any one of BRCC’s four manufacturing degree programs. They may also pursue a related transfer degree and subsequently a baccalaureate degree in a field related to manufacturing - such as JMU’s Bio-Technology degree.

Note: This exploratory program in advanced manufacturing is designed to lead to the development of future skill sets, which would be useful in resume development and job interviewing