Sinclair Community College Receives Federal Funding to Launch Student Careers in Industrial Maintenance

Sinclair Community College has been awarded nearly $2 million dollars in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program. 

Sinclair Community College will use the funding to develop and implement the Amplify Industrial Maintenance (AIM) program. The program will focus on recruiting, training, and retaining Industrial Maintenance Technicians through registered apprenticeships, providing academic and career coaching, and offering supportive services. Sinclair Community College will also work with industry partners including United Grinding North America, Inc., VEGA Americas, Sonoco, DMAX Ltd., and the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association.

“Sinclair Community College is proud to be a part of this national initiative that will provide vital education and on-the-job training for individuals pursing careers in industrial maintenance while meeting the workforce demands of employers in the region,” said Dr. Kathleen Cleary, Senior Vice President of Workforce Solutions – Sinclair Community College. “This funding signifies a substantial investment in education and workforce development, and we look forward to developing the AIM apprenticeship program that will be tailored to the needs of students and employers.”

The Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program will help grant recipients design, develop, and grow training programs and work-based learning opportunities that prepare job seekers for high-demand, high-quality career pathways in advanced manufacturing, information technology and professional, scientific, and technical service occupations. 

“We look forward to working with our grantees to help to strengthen and expand our workforce to provide opportunities for good-paying, family-sustaining jobs,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su.

Sinclair’s AIM program will focus on equipping apprentices with the technical skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience necessary to excel in the field of industrial maintenance. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in industrial maintenance is projected to grow 13% through the year 2032. Approximately 49,000 openings are projected each year over the decade.

Through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program, the DOL awarded nearly $94 million in grants to support 34 public-private partnerships to provide worker-centered sector strategy training programs in 25 states and the District of Columbia to meet workforce needs. Sinclair Community College is the only higher education institution in Ohio to be selected for the grant program.

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