Enter The Engineers

Prince George’s Community College Opens Maryland’s First Engineering Workforce Development Center With The American Society Of Mechanical Engineers

PHOTO PROVIDED COURTESY OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced its new Engineering Workforce Development Center (EWDC) to support students. The new center offers shared labs and is operated by experienced workforce development staff. Companies, government labs, high schools, and other colleges are welcome to use services at the center. Additionally, the new workforce center will provide one-stop shopping for those seeking expertise, partnerships, and supplies infrastructure to facilitate engineering workforce development activities through equipment, staff support, and informational and administrative functions.

Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2022-2027), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County.

“We are excited to unveil the new Engineering Workforce Development Center to support PGCC students, serve as an incubator for start-up companies, and participate in local community projects,” Dr. Hossein Besharatian, program coordinator and a full-time faculty member for the Technology, Engineering, and Construction Department at the College, said. “The engineering center plans to partner with other colleges and organizations to offer apprenticeships, virtual labs, and scholarships.”

In addition to the new center, the College has partnered with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for its Community College Engineering Pathways program (CCEP). PGCC is the first community college in the state of Maryland to participate in this program.

Dr. Besharatian will also lead the College’s chapter of ASME’s engineering pathways program. Dr. Besharatian stated, “The agreement with ASME will allow students and faculty to become members for one year, free of charge and access to internships. We are excited to be the first ASME chapter at a community college in Maryland and will establish relationships with industry experts and other colleges.”

The goal of ASME’s CCEP is to attract, develop, and accelerate the careers of aspiring engineers and technicians from community colleges and non-traditional backgrounds. Currently, there are 29 community colleges partnered with ASME.

“In May 2021, ASME launched a groundbreaking initiative focused on attracting, supporting, and retaining the next generation of engineers by increasing our engagement with community colleges. The Community College Engineering Pathways Program (CCEP) strives to increase participation in the engineering and technical workforce among those who have been historically underrepresented in technical fields by increasing access to technical careers and helping build a larger and more qualified skilled technical workforce,” Kathleen Kosmoski, ASME senior manager of workforce development, said. “I am excited that Prince George’s Community College has joined the CCEP program, and I’m looking forward to engaging with the students and helping them along their engineering journey.”

More information about PGCC engineering programs and courses is available here.

For more information, visit the College’s website at www.pgcc.edu.