SENEDIA Supports the Coventry Technical Education Expansion with New Precision Machine Program

   

8 October 2024

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“The collaboration between SENEDIA, Electric Boat, and partners within the submarine workforce pipeline, like the Career and Technical Center here at Coventry High School, is critical to the success of our submarine programs and to our state’s economy,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. “Today we celebrate this new classroom and its machining equipment and the promise it holds for the students here in Coventry.  These students are preparing for highly skilled, good-paying careers where they can recognize the value of the work they do, not just for our community and economy, but also for the brave men and women who will serve aboard these vessels around the world.”

Precision Machining is an entirely new offering at the center. With funding and support from SENEDIA and General Dynamics, the school built a dynamic lab space where students can learn lathe and milling operations, drilling and threading, surface finishing techniques, blueprint reading, and CNC programming. SENEDIA facilitated funding support through its contract with the Department of Defense Innovation Capabilities and Modernization office’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program for trades and industrial skills workforce development for the New England submarine industrial base.

“Career and technical programs provide students with the skills and training they need to land well-paying jobs in in-demand fields,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “I applaud Coventry’s Regional Career and Technical Center, SENEDIA, and Electric Boat for their partnership and commitment to ensuring Rhode Island students are prepared to help meet the nation’s growing security demands.”

“Rhode Island students must be equipped with the technical skills needed to compete for the jobs of the future,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Congratulations to Coventry High School, SENEDIA, and General Dynamics Electric Boat on working to ensure our students receive hands-on experience and expand technical training opportunities. I look forward to seeing its benefits for our national security and the next generation of workers for years to come.”

Fifty freshmen students are enrolled in this first year of the program as part of a trades exploration pathway. Students will receive six weeks of training each in welding, automotive, and machining coursework before selecting one as their primary area of study as sophomores.

“The Precision Machine Program at Coventry’s Regional Career and Technical Center is an example of the many new high-quality career and technical education programs launched in recent years as part of strategic effort to ensure students statewide are college and career ready,” said RIDE Deputy Commissioner for Instructional Programs Lisa Odom-Villella. “By offering our students more engaging programs and pathways that allow them to gain critical skills and industry certifications, we are preparing them to build their own future and compete in the 21st Century economy. We congratulate Coventry, SENEDIA, General Dynamics, and all partners who made this program possible.”

“As Superintendent, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the Precision Machine Program at Coventry High School’s Regional Career and Technical Center. Partnering with SENEDIA and Electric Boat to bring this state-of-the-art program to our students is a tremendous win for our community,” said Coventry Superintendent Don Cowart. “This initiative will expose our students to cutting-edge technologies and a wide range of entry-level workforce skills. Building on the success of our welding program, we are confident this will further prepare our students with the practical skills and experiences they need to thrive in a career at Electric Boat.”

This is the third ribbon cutting celebration that SENEDIA and General Dynamics have partnered on in the past year, building on the success of the pipefitting program at Cranston High School East in April and the upgraded welding offerings at Tourtellotte Memorial High School in Connecticut in September.

“Coventry Regional Career & Tech Center is setting the standard by developing their students with skillsets that match the needs of the Rhode Island workforce. The machining program is a testament to what our educational institutions can help provide to Electric Boat, the maritime industrial base, and the economy of Rhode Island,” said William Barber, workforce development and youth education programs lead at General Dynamics Electric Boat.

“The demand for highly skilled workers continues to grow, especially in the trades. At SENEDIA, we are committed to strengthening that pipeline, not only with training opportunities for professionals at every stage of their career, but also by reaching students early on to build their skills and expose them to the kinds of good-paying, rewarding opportunities that await them in submarine shipbuilding and defense manufacturing,” said Tim Fox, director of operations at SENEDIA.

Students in the program will have the opportunity to earn OSHA and NIMS Certifications and connect with industry partners like Electric Boat.

“From criminal justice and computer IT, to health care and biotech, to these important careers in the trades, we are meeting students where they are and offering the kinds of meaningful, hands-on, career-aligned learning experiences they need to stay engaged and graduate with the skills of tomorrow,” said Lori Ferguson, Coventry’s director of career and technical education.

SENEDIA continues to engage new workforce development partners–at both the K-12 and higher education and advanced training levels–as part of the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership. Through the partnership, SENEDIA has facilitated the training of more than 6,200 people across the region, from young people at the start of their careers to older individuals transitioning from other sectors.

To learn more about SENEDIA and its workforce development programming, visit www.SENEDIA.org.

SENEDIA, the alliance for defense tech, talent, and innovation, is a catalyst for thought leadership, technical innovation, and workforce development. SENEDIA connects, convenes, and partners across the industry to support talent, innovation, and growth. For more information on SENEDIA, please visit www.SENEDIA.org.