The County College of Morris, in partnership with Morristown High School, announced the conclusion of the first AIMTec: Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Technologies program, intended to help New Jersey rebuild its pool of manufacturing workers.
The program was designed to launch high school seniors directly into the modern manufacturing workforce or to be eligible to pursue engineering studies at CCM.
According to data compiled by MNI, an industrial data publisher, New Jersey is home to 7,134 manufacturing companies that employ 353,324 workers. Cities such as Newark, Clifton, Jersey City, and Fairfield account for 67% of the state’s manufacturing base.
Sixteen Morristown High School students enrolled, and completed, the year-long program. By spending 50% of each school day at CCM’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, the students experienced immersive training to gain skills in manual machining and CNC operation and programming, as well as integrating universal robots into various manufacturing systems.
By the spring semester, each student was eligible to choose a specialized elective in pneumatics, hydraulics or welding. Upon graduation, all students earned at least six industry-recognized certifications, with some achieving up to 10. They are ready for full-time employment with one of CCM’s employer partners or for enrollment into an engineering degree program at CCM.
“They’ve built real-world skills, gained industry-recognized credentials, and opened doors that many people don’t even realize exist,” said Alexandra Hoffmann, director of workforce development & community partnerships at CCM.
In addition to the technical training, students received academic support and career-readiness programming such as on-site tours of employer partner facilities. This included a look into industrial metal stamping, wire EDM and CNC operation, and rebar manufacturing. Students were also interviewed for employment with local manufacturing companies.
“The hands-on training that our students received, combined with the industry-recognized certifications they earned, has prepared them to seek meaningful employment that will ensure a family-sustaining wage,” said Mark Manning, principal of Morristown High School. “We are extremely proud of our students who completed this program, and we recognize that this has been a life-changing experience for them.”
The AIMTec program at CCM represents an effort by the college to help rebuild New Jersey’s manufacturing talent pipeline, which has steadily declined over the past decade. By aligning student training with the needs of local employers, AIMTec helps to cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals ready to begin life-sustaining, high-demand careers.
Because of the program’s early success, AIMTec will expand next year to bring in students from additional high schools across the region.
