GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1031*

Short Title:  Machining Tech. Partnership Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Boyd-McIntyre, Adams; Blue, Braswell, Cocklereece, Culp, Cunningham, Earle, Fitch, H. Hunter, Michaux, Nye, Oldham, Sharpe, Tolson, Womble, and Wright.

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Referred to:  Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.

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May 8, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA FOR NORTH CAROLINA A & T STATE UNIVERSITY TO SUPPORT THE PIEDMONT TRIAD CENTER FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND TO THE STATE BOARD OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO ESTABLISH A "SEAMLESS EDUCATION PILOT PROJECT".
Whereas, there are 750 metalworking industries in the Triad area making the Piedmont Triad one of the most highly concentrated metalworking areas in the United States; and
Whereas, available information indicates that these industries cannot expand further without qualified skilled workers in machining technology; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that the availability of machining technology education and training is seriously lacking in the Piedmont Triad area which affects employment opportunities in Guilford, Forsyth, Randolph, Alamance, and surrounding counties; and
Whereas, the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing (PT CAM), a cooperative partnership between North Carolina A & T State University, Guilford Technical Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Rockingham Community College, economic development entities, business and industry in the Piedmont Triad area, and the Guilford County Public Schools, was formed to address the problems of the manufacturing industry in the Piedmont Triad area; and
Whereas, the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing has set up a number of programs including apprenticeships, internships, and cooperative education programs to enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of the Piedmont Triad in the field of metalworking and to enhance the capabilities and numbers of minority-owned manufacturing companies across the nation; and
Whereas, State funding is needed to complete the start-up and initial support of the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing and its Shared-Use Industrial/Education Manufacturing Laboratory which will serve as an advanced technology real-life manufacturing laboratory for North Carolina A & T State University and area industry; and
Whereas, State funding is also needed to establish a "Seamless Education Pilot Project" to support and enhance training and career development needs of existing, expanding, and potentially new machining and metalworking related business in the Piedmont Triad area; and
Whereas, the Seamless Education Pilot Project will implement efficient, unduplicated and integrated methods by which to involve community colleges, public school systems and universities in the Piedmont Triad area, including those in Alamance, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Rockingham, and Surry Counties in delivering educational services that are consistent and sequential from high school to higher education and in the workplace; and
Whereas, there will be an immediate and lasting economic development return to the economy of this State through the efforts of the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the Seamless Education Pilot Project; and
Whereas, this is a critical time to provide the necessary technical skills for machining technology to encourage industries to expand and locate in the area, to provide employment opportunities, and to enhance the quality of life for our citizens; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of six hundred forty-three thousand seven hundred dollars ($643,700) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of six hundred forty-six thousand seven hundred dollars ($646,700) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for North Carolina A & T State University to be used to complete start-up and initial support of the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing and its Shared-Use Industrial/Education Manufacturing Laboratory.
Sec. 2.  (a)	There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Board of Community Colleges the sum of  six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year to establish a "Seamless Education Pilot Project".  These funds shall be used to lease the necessary equipment to support and enhance training and career development needs of existing, expanding, and potentially new machining and metalworking related businesses in the Piedmont Triad area.
(b)	The State Board of Community Colleges shall develop and approve the project plans and design prior to expending or committing any of the funds appropriated for the purposes of the lease.
(c)	Any unexpended funds appropriated in this section shall not revert at the end of the 1995-96 fiscal year, but shall remain available for use by the State Board of Community Colleges for the purpose of this section.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.