April 16, 2021
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Today, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak joined College of Southern Nevada (CSN) officials and local business leaders in dedicating its new advanced manufacturing rapid response program on the Henderson campus. This expansion was made possible by a grant of nearly $2 million from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development WINN fund, and meets one of the priorities outlined in the recently-released Every Nevada Recovery Framework.
“With funding from this grant, CSN will develop new primary pathways into manufacturing and industrial skills occupations; pathways that will benefit employers and workers throughout Clark County,” said Gov. Sisolak. “These new programs create the opportunity for at least 200 Nevadans annually to access training that was not previously available and for employers to tap into a skilled talent pipeline. That training turns into real jobs, for real Nevadans – which is one of the top priorities in our Every Nevadan Recovery effort.”
The funding comes out of the State of Nevada’s Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) fund to support companies looking to expand or locate their business operation in Nevada with training programs that will equip workers with the skills needed by employers.
CSN’s new program will enhance workforce development efforts by manufacturers such as Haas Automation, Inc., which is moving forward on a major operation in Henderson. When CSN applied for WINN funding, Peter Zierhut from Haas wrote a letter of endorsement for CSN’s application to expand, enhance and accelerate the training programs that CSN can offer for advanced manufacturing and other technical skills.
“We are currently working with CSN on a plan to meet our training needs and the needs of many companies that will support Haas Automation in the local Southern Nevada region,” wrote Zierhut.
CSN President Dr. Federico Zaragoza said his college’s program will result in students being able to obtain Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) industry-recognized certifications, including: the MSSC Certified Production Technician; MSSC Certified Logistics Technician; and the NIMS CNC Machining Operator certification, which provides a pathway to Mechatronics and Robotics degrees.
“What this program does is provide a pathway by which dislocated and unemployed workers can be reskilled and trained for jobs in manufacturing by providing referral and training opportunities for clients from Workforce Connections, and Workforce Partners such as DETR, SNAPET and the Adult Education and Rehabilitation System,” said President Zaragoza. “We can create rapid response pathways into manufacturing training programs to facilitate rapid reemployment strategies.”
CSN is partnering with Haas Automation, Inc. to expand Advanced Manufacturing workforce training offerings in southern Nevada. The WINN grant will enable the development of two new middle skill training programs in this growing industry where there are no programs: Production Technician and Machine Operator. This expansion will bridge entry level training currently available to developing longer term manufacturing training programs to facilitate rapid reemployment strategies. The funding will include more than a $1 million investment in equipment and infrastructure needed to conduct the training.
“GOED recently released a recovery and resilience plan that points out that the reshoring of production to the United States presents Nevada with the opportunity to grow its nascent advanced manufacturing sector while integrating further into the regional economy of the western United States,” said Stacey Bostwick, GOED Director of Workforce Development. “It’s important to commend industry partners such as Haas and PepsiCo for engaging with the workforce development systems in Nevada in partnership with CSN and GOED’s WINN Fund.”
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development was created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development. More information on the Governor’s Office of Economic Development can be viewed at diversifynevada.com.
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