GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College has received a $200,000 grant to develop training programs in mechatronics, or robotic engineering, and industrial machine maintenance.

This initiative, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Research and Assessment Centers planning grant, will be carried out in collaboration with regional manufacturers, industry experts and community partners. It aims to address the growing demand for skilled workers in these fields.

According to GCC Vice President of Workforce Development Kristin Cole, the college has already received letters of support for the initiative from three local manufacturing companies: BETE Performance Spray Engineering and Ames Electrical Consulting Inc., both in Greenfield, and Worthington Assembly, located in South Deerfield.

“Automation extends throughout all industries now, but automation doesn’t mean that there aren’t humans involved in it. It’s just they’re different types of jobs. Jobs are changing, and we want to be able to build training programs to get folks ready for those new jobs that are going to continue to come down the pike, related to automation and robotics,” Cole said. “Throughout this year, we’ll work very closely with businesses throughout our region to really understand what their needs are within their industry now, where they see themselves going in five to 10 years, so we can build programs through our workforce development division that can help fill those jobs.”

The grant, Cole explained, will be used to plan a series of workforce training programs aimed at giving participants “stackable credentials” — skills and qualifications that build upon one another — through a series of shorter-term training programs. Cole added that next year, GCC will apply for another round of grant funding that will be used to implement the programs.

“They’re short-term programs that build upon each other, so someone doesn’t have to necessarily commit to a year. If an employer has a current employee that they might want to upskill, they don’t have to lose their work for a year,” Cole said. She added that the next year of planning will be about figuring out, “What are these credentials that we can build that stack up on each other over time to build the competencies that one would need to be successful in machine maintenance or automation or robotics.”

In a statement, BETE Performance Spray Engineering President and CEO Tom Fitch said he is excited to see funding for workforce advancement in the manufacturing field. His remarks were echoed by Ames Electrical Consulting President Randolph Ames and Worthington Assembly co-owner Neil Scanlon.

“As a key employer in Greenfield, we understand the critical need for skilled professionals who can maintain and advance our machinery,” Fitch said in a statement. “This investment in training will ensure a steady pipeline of talented individuals ready to meet the demands of modern manufacturing. By enhancing these educational opportunities, we are not only strengthening our industry’s workforce but also reinforcing our commitment to innovation and excellence in the field.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.