By Ramona du Houx

August 18, 2012

A $100,000 grant from the Maine Quality Center will allow Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) to provide training in the growing field of medical device manufacturing.

“Workforce training and partnership efforts, like these, are key to our state’s economic success. In this case, it allows and encourages this international company to expand in Maine and hire more Maine workers,” said State Senator Seth Goodall, who helped SMCC expand to Brunswick Landing, the transformed Navy base facility.

State government during Governor John Baldacci’s term officially established the Community College system. Part of that expansion was focused on workplace training to help community businesses fill vacant jobs.

“This is nothing new; we’ve been doing this with a lot of companies like Bath Iron Works and Moody’s Collision Centers,” said SMCC President Ron Cantor. “It’s something we hope to do more of because it helps the economy and helps people train for good jobs.”

Mölnlycke Health Care started construction on a new facility at Brunswick Landing last June, manufactures medical devices. The grant was awarded so that SMCC could provide the company with training for 127 employees to help them through their expansion.

The training courses were designed by college faculty, working with outside experts. They will be offered either at the Mid-Coast campus or at Brunswick Landing.

“Part of our mission as a college is to help businesses train the workforce to grow their business. To help people hone their skills,” said Cantor.