With its highly educated workforce and focus on advanced manufacturing, Connecticut remains a top destination for high-tech and innovative enterprises, which makes manufacturing an excellent career choice.

In the wake of the pandemic, many people are trying to reshape their careers. Going back to school is certainly a choice but finances may become an impediment and discourage them from taking that new path.

A new opportunity to apply for a full scholarship provided by Linde is being offered for The Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology Certificate Program (AMTC) at Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC). 

Linde Inc. (formerly Praxair, Inc.) is a leading industrial gas company in North and South America and one of the largest worldwide.

“The Linde Skills Pipeline Scholarships and education is a huge opportunity for several people. For our graduates, it has had such a positive impact in their lives,” said Marlene Cornwell, AMTC Danbury Site Coordinator. 

The number of scholarships is limited and those interested need to apply. 

“These scholarships are not selected by us. It is literally supported by Linde and they're the ones that do the selection,” explained Cornwell. “When these scholarships go in over to them, there is no name, no address, there is nothing. Literally, it's their questions that they've [students’] answered and a number that represents them. Only we know on the NVCC side, who they are.”

The Full Scholarship

All tuition expenses, textbooks, materials, technical equipment packages, and support for certificate testing fees in a 10-month program are included. The program provides hands-on access to state-of-the-art manufacturing technology in preparation for employment. Graduates earn 31 college credits in two semesters for future education. Internship opportunities are also available. 

Upon completion of the program, the student will have earned two certificates - one Certificate in Fundamentals of Machine Technology and a second Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology, and an OSHA-10 certification too.

“The semester this year starts on August 25th and will usually end about the end of the second week of December. That's semester one. Semester two usually starts about the third week of January and will end by about the middle of May,” explained Greg Tirita who has been an AMTC instructor for eight years. 

According to Tirita, the program in manufacturing prepares individuals for “hands-on” positions in the manufacturing sector as inspectors, machine operators, CNC machinists, and more. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 4:00 pm to 10 p.m. 

“Homework is minimal. We start off in the classroom talking about math and blueprint reading. We talk about what we're going to be doing when we get down to the shop and then we go down to the shop and do it.” 

How to Apply for Linde’s Scholarship

There is no requirement for any experience of any kind. Just visit www.nv.edu/linde to apply for Fall 2023 through Spring 2024.

Even though this is a certificate program, students will have caps and gowns, and walk on stage to receive their certificates with all other graduates receiving their associate’s degrees.

Cornwell explains that if someone were to apply not for the scholarship but to NVCC, they can visit nv.edu/admissions-and-aid/getting-started/apply and select Fall 2023 Application, Major: Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology – Certificate #1. 

An information session and tour at the Naugatuck Valley Community College Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program at the new Danbury facility will be offered on Wednesday, July 19, and August 2, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required at www.nv.edu/linde. If you can’t attend either of the two sessions, contact Marlene Cornwell by calling 203-770-8269 or via email at mcornwell@nvcc.commnet.edu to schedule a session at a different date and time.  

The Program is offered at a new facility and location at 190 White Street, Danbury at Western Connecticut State University. To learn more about the Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology Certificate Program, please visit www.nv.edu/amt.

About Linde

Linde Inc. (formerly Praxair, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Linde plc since 2018, is a leading industrial gas company in North and South America and one of the largest worldwide. Linde produces, sells, and distributes atmospheric, process, and specialty gases. 

About NVCC

Naugatuck Valley Community College is a public, two-year, associate degree-granting, co-educational, non-residential college and one of 17 institutions comprising Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). With locations in both Waterbury and Danbury, it offers day, evening, weekend, and online classes in over 100 degrees, certificate, and workforce training programs.