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Biddeford tech center wins grant to support aspiring machinists

Student Riddick Berry working at a machine Photo / Courtesy Biddeford Regional Center for Technology Riddick Berry is enrolled in the manufacturing technology program at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology.
By Tina Fischer

The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology has been awarded a $10,000 grant to put toward financial support for students enrolled in the manufacturing technology program.

The Gene Haas Foundation grant will be used to help cover costs for training and participation in competitions.

The Biddeford program provides students with hands-on experience using both manual and computer numerical control (CNC) machining and programming. Students fabricate precision parts using a range of machines and visit local manufacturers working in the aerospace, military and medical industries.

“The grant is a game-changer for our students,” said Tim Fenimore, the school’s manufacturing technology instructor. “It gives us the ability to reward hard work and open up more opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world experience.

“The students in this program are incredibly dedicated. They’re learning to work to extremely tight tolerances, problem-solve on the fly, and think critically about both design and function. It takes focus, patience, and a strong work ethic to succeed in this field, and I’m thrilled that this funding will help recognize and support that effort.”

The grant is expected to support scholarships for several years. The technology center, based at 18 Maplewood Ave. in Biddeford, accepts high school juniors and seniors, with some openings for select sophomores, from area schools including Biddeford High School, Old Orchard Beach High School, Saco's Thornton Academy, Kennebunk High School and Waterboro's Massabesic High School.

The Gene Haas Foundation, which is based in Oxnard, Calif., supports manufacturing education across the U.S., and since 1999 has awarded more than $225 million in grants funding.

 

 

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