Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., President of Naugatuck Valley Community College, presented awards to 21 students of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program. Established by the President to challenge manufacturing students to excel, the awards recognize students whose GPA is in the top ten. A second award goes to students with a GPA of “B” or better.

More than just a certificate, the awards generously support student participation in classes that translate to career-enhancing credentials. For example, top-ten students earn scholarships to take courses in welding, master cam, OSHA and NIMS certification, while “B” or better students earn master cam, OSHA and NIMS certification courses. All students who completed the fall semester successfully receive OSHA and NIMS certification courses.

The awards presentation held on December 18, 2014 was emceed by Joseph DeFeo, Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. DeFeo introduced NVCC President De Filippis who addressed the students, praising their accomplishments and commitment.

Deirdre Moutinho, Acting Enrollment and Recruitment Specialist, presented the awards to students whose final grade was “B” or better.”

The awards ceremony marks the closing of the first-semester of a year-long certificate program designed to prepare students to be job-ready in the manufacturing industry, working in skilled positions such as machine or CNC operators and quality inspectors. Students who complete this program meet or beat the industry standards for knowledge in math, blueprint reading and manufacturing processes.

Since its opening in 2012, NVCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center has placed over 100 graduates into jobs at area manufacturing firms.