Alabama manufacturers looking to keep up with rapidly changing technology will continue to have a statewide resource to help them make that transition.

The Alabama Training Network has been awarded $2.19 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology to continue serving as Alabama’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center.

Although it is a division of the Alabama Community College System, ATN is not one of the system’s community colleges. Instead, it serves as a statewide resource for business and industry, working directly with manufacturers to provide workforce training, technical assistance and business solutions.

The $2,191,702 award will allow that work to continue while putting an increased focus on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and additive manufacturing.

“This award is an investment not only in ATN, but in the manufacturers, employees, and communities we serve across Alabama,” ATN Executive Director Keith Phillips said. “Our team works alongside companies every day to understand their challenges and provide practical solutions that make a measurable difference.

“We are grateful for NIST’s continued confidence in ATN and excited about the opportunity to build on that work over the next five years.”

ATN works with manufacturers across Alabama to strengthen their workforce and improve operations. Its customized training and technical assistance are designed to help companies improve productivity, quality, safety and competitiveness while preparing for changing technology and workforce needs.

Under the new agreement, Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers will put more emphasis on helping manufacturers successfully adopt advanced technologies and strengthening critical domestic supply chains. The centers will also develop ways to measure technology adoption and work with manufacturers in priority industry sectors.

For Alabama, the funding will allow ATN to continue expanding the resources and expertise available to manufacturers as they deal with changing technology, workforce demands and competition in the global marketplace.

The Alabama award is part of more than $30 million NIST announced for 12 Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers in 11 states and Puerto Rico following a competitive funding process.

The NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a public-private partnership with centers across the United States and Puerto Rico. Its national network includes nearly 1,400 manufacturing advisers and experts working from more than 450 locations.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].