The Front Range Community College (FRCC) Foundation has received a major donation from The Ball Foundation—the philanthropic arm of Ball Corporation. The $50,000 gift will fund scholarships for students pursuing a certificate or degree in manufacturing.
The Ball donation comes as Colorado manufacturing companies are seeking more skilled technicians. With 5,000 new manufacturing jobs expected in Colorado by 2026, FRCC’s manufacturing training programs equip students with the knowledge, skills and expertise they need to start rewarding careers.
In northern Colorado specifically, advanced manufacturing companies have noted a critical need for industrial maintenance workers. To help fill this need, FRCC has created three new programs to give students the hands-on training they need to work in modern high-tech manufacturing.
“This substantial donation will help close the skills gap and build Colorado’s workforce,” said Nicole Gervace, FRCC’s assistant director of manufacturing technology. “These scholarships help our students reach their career goals. And thanks to Ball Corporation, we can help fund their education and help them pursue great careers in advanced manufacturing.”
The overarching goals of this Ball Foundation scholarship program are to:
- Support FRCC students in their pursuit of an advanced manufacturing career,
- Meet Colorado workforce demands, and
- Narrow the educational and employment gaps of underserved populations within the college’s service area.
The scholarships will be given to students studying in the four advanced manufacturing programs located at FRCC’s new Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) in Longmont. The funds will support 25 to 40 students enrolled in training programs at the CIM. Scholarship awards will average $2,500 per student. The FRCC Foundation will prioritize scholarship recipients with the highest need, based on income qualifications (as defined by Pell-eligibility and determined by the college’s Financial Aid Division).
“The Ball Foundation and Ball employee volunteers are proud to support Front Range Community College,” said Chris Chavez, executive director of The Ball Foundation. “STEM education is a core funding area for Ball, and we work together with strong community partners like FRCC to address workforce needs in STEM industries. Additionally, Ball employees volunteer at FRCC and mentor students. Together, we are preparing the next generation of engineers and technicians for the jobs of the future.”
Find out more about the programs at FRCC’s new Center for Integrated Manufacturing: www.frontrange.edu/MFG.
Interested in applying for a scholarship in advanced manufacturing? Email us at: FRCCmfg@frontrange.edu.
About Front Range Community College
FRCC offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County, Westminster, Brighton, and online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 138,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 39 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
