Carroll Community College has received over $2.8 million in grant funding towards establishing an Applied Technology and Trades Center.
The grant is provided by the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, which provides funds to colleges and other non-profit organizations that support job creation. The Ratcliffe Foundation’s focus is on filling gaps in the labor market through skilled trades training and entrepreneurship.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Ratcliffe Foundation for their generous support and commitment to advancing education and workforce development in our community,” said Dr. James Ball, President of Carroll Community College, in a statement. “This grant will enable us to expand our capacity to train students in high-demand fields, empowering them to succeed in rewarding careers while meeting the needs of local employers.”
Capital News Service reported in April 2024 that employers are having a difficult time finding workers with the specialized skill sets they need. Anirban Basu, economist, and chairman and CEO of Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group was quoted as saying, “For this lack of skilled workers to fix itself, there needs to be more of a push to learn the skills needed.”
The new, state-of-the-art Ratcliffe Applied Technology and Trades Center aims to alleviate that problem by offering training programs in welding, automotive technology, HVAC, manufacturing, plumbing, carpentry, animal grooming, and entrepreneurship, and more. Students will get hands-on training and technical expertise, and the grant will provide scholarships, stipends, and tools.
“Through the Ratcliffe Foundation’s generous grant, Carroll Community College is excited to make learning and opportunity more accessible,” said Kelly Koermer, Vice President of Workforce, Business & Community Education at Carroll Community College, in a statement. “This program will equip people, families, and, ultimately, communities with strong earning potential and career longevity.”
“Our students will gain cutting-edge skills while the community and surrounding region benefit from a skilled workforce that drives economic growth,” Koermer added. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ratcliffe Foundation for their unwavering commitment to education and prosperity.”
The center aims to ensure that students receive training that will prepare them for immediate employment upon graduation. It will also serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration between the college, industry partners, and the community. In this way, the school hopes to build and strengthen connections and paths to rewarding professions for their students, and economic growth and prosperity for the surrounding community.
“We are pleased to partner with Carroll Community College to provide resources and training that will equip individuals with technical skills to meet the labor demands of local industry in the region,” said Carlene Cassidy, CEO of the Ratcliffe Foundation, in a statement. “Carroll has demonstrated a strong commitment to workforce training and entrepreneurship. We are confident that they will build on their current programs to set the next generation of learners up for success in their chosen fields. Making education and skilled trades training accessible and offering entrepreneurship opportunities are goals our founders wholeheartedly supported.”
Carroll Community College has transfer agreements with Baltimore County-based universities, including Towson University, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland – Baltimore County and Coppin State, and many other institutions of higher education.
