QCC Announces Two Blackstone Valley Initiatives

From QCC: Quinsigamond Community College announced two initiatives in Blackstone Valley on Monday, June 19, which will improve the accessibility and affordability of training and educational programs for residents of the region.

A ribbon cutting was held for the QCC Blackstone Valley Internet Learning Café at Alternatives Unlimited in Whitinsville.

“This will expand access for the people of Blackstone Valley to the broad range of programming QCC offers,” said QCC President Gail Carberry. “Students can engage with one another, as well as learn online in a common space. Students will be supported by advisors, financial aid officers and other support staff.”

Dr. Carberry said the college worked with public and private sector partnerships for this project.

More than 700 students at QCC hail from the Blackstone Valley, with about 200 of them taking online courses, she said. QCC offers more than 70 degree programs online, in subjects ranging from tech, business, human services, education, liberal arts, criminal justice, health and more.

Dennis Rice, Executive Director of Alternatives, said the organization has opened different career centers throughout the region that give something back to the community, through initiatives such as art galleries, gardens and more. “With this partnership with QCC, we have created a space and raised funds for a learning café,” he said. “We are very excited to be partnered with QCC.”

The café in the renovated Whitin Mill will offer a place for students, clients and employees of Alternatives and the public to use free wifi, grab a cup of coffee and a pastry and take online courses through QCC.

State Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, said the legislature and community partners have been working to get something going in Blackstone Valley for almost 20 years. “I look forward to this being the first of many celebrations of growing this program, with the vision of a satellite campus in Blackstone Valley,” Mr. Moore said. “Higher education is an economic driver, if we bring students, it will also bring their business to other establishments in the area.”

An alum of QCC, Mr. Moore said QCC offers a great education. “They can help set you in the right direction,” he said. “Graduates today have so many choices, and many positions need a higher level of skill.”

He thanked the legislative delegation for their hard work bringing this project to fruition. He said former State Sen. Richard Moore was involved in getting the fiscal appropriation of $300,000 for the expansion into Blackstone Valley.

After lunch at the cafe, a second event was held at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a partnership that will begin with classrooms at Linwood Mill, 670 Linwood Ave., for an advanced manufacturing training program.

Jeannie Hebert, President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and a member of the QCC Foundation Board of Directors, said the MOU is the first step toward a manufacturing center in Blackstone Valley. She said certificate courses and customized curriculum will address a skills gap in manufacturing.

“This is a long time coming, and is one of the number one initiatives that we have been working to accomplish,” Ms. Hebert said. “To get this signed and get equipment to fill the classrooms is just going to be a wonder for us.”

“This can lead to so much more in the Valley, a whole multitude of different courses can be offered,” said State Rep. David Muradian, R-Grafton. “It’s amazing to see it finally come to fruition, it’s been a lot of work from everyone involved.”

Scott Rossiter, Chairman of employee-owned Lampin Corporation, a manufacturer of precision parts and assemblies, said this partnership between businesses, the Chamber and QCC goes back many years. He is a member of the QCC Foundation Board and the Blackstone Valley Chamber, and said he is excited about the plans moving forward. “Seven employees are currently undergoing customized training at QCC,” he said. “Having access in Blackstone Valley for other kinds of training for our employees would be an unbelievable opportunity.”

Dr. Carberry said the needs of the Valley are diverse and opportunities to get people started on their career pathways are important. The college has been working with technical high schools in the area, Ben Franklin Institute of Technology, Worcester State and Fitchburg State, as well as employers, to provide educational and training opportunities for students and employees.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber signifies a commitment to offer certificate courses for manufacturing, but also a promise to the future to create viable curricula for the region.

“Our goal is to get a campus out here, but it has to be done in stages,” said Dr. Carberry. “This is an acorn that we hope will grow into a mighty oak. We will continue to look at what is appropriate for workforce training and skills for students and employees coming in.”

For more information, contact Josh Martin, Director of Institutional Communications at 508.854.7513 or jmartin@qcc.mass.edu

Image Via Pixabay