KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Nunez Community College received $4 million in state funding to expand aerospace, welding and manufacturing programs.   The college plans a $9 million aerospace facility to support its MADE workforce development initiative.   More than 300 aerospace industry credentials hav e been awarded since the program launched in 2018.   Nunez is also expanding energy training with a $1 million liquefied natural gas hands-on training unit.   Nunez Community College is moving forward with plans for a new aerospace training facility after receiving $4 million in state funding to expand its aerospace, welding and advanced manufacturing programs. The funding, approved by the Louisiana Legislature during the recent session, will support the college’s workforce development initiatives and campus operations as Nunez works toward constructing or retrofitting a proposed $9 million Aerospace Building in Chalmette. The facility would house the college’s MADE initiative, which combines programs in maritime, aerospace, defense manufacturing and energy. College officials said the expansion is designed to strengthen the workforce pipeline for employers across southeast Louisiana by providing hands-on training in high-demand technical fields. “Nunez Community College stands at the epicenter of economic growth and workforce development, serving not only the region but also supporting strategic Louisiana Economic Development investments across the state,” Chancellor Dr. Tina Tinney said. “With the recent legislative investment into our campus and programs, our continued enrollment growth, and our expansion of programs across our service area, we are proud to strengthen our commitment to student success while providing the skilled workforce our industry partners need to thrive.” The investment builds on Nunez’s Aerospace Manufacturing Technology program, which has awarded more than 300 industry credentials since launching in 2018. According to the college, graduates have gone on to work for companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin and Vivace, with several contributing to NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Nunez also is expanding its energy workforce programs. The college plans to install a $1 million liquefied natural gas training unit to provide students in its Process Technology program with hands-on experience using industry equipment. Tinney said the investment is intended to prepare students for Louisiana’s evolving energy sector. “By providing students with hands-on training using advanced equipment and emerging technologies, we are ensuring that our graduates are well prepared and competitively positioned to support Louisiana’s growing energy sector and the diverse workforce demands of these emerging industries.” College officials said the planned expansion aligns with growing demand for workers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, maritime and energy industries across Louisiana. ...read more read less