CREEDMOOR, N.C. — Vance-Granville Community College today announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software, with a commercial value of $31 million.

The in-kind grant gives students access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more.

Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.

The in-kind grant was provided by the Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software for schools at every academic level. Siemens PLM Software is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services.

The in-kind grant for VGCC includes Siemens PLM Software’sTecnomatix® portfolio, the industry-leading digital manufacturing software.

This is in addition to a previous in-kind grant that included the company’s Solid Edge® software, an intuitive product development platform for accelerating all aspects of product creation, including 3D design, simulation, visualization, manufacturing, and design management.

Both software packages will be used by students in VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program.

“Vance-Granville Community College would like to thank Siemens PLM Software for this generous grant of advanced engineering software that enables our students to better prepare for successful advanced technology careers,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC. “By using the same technology in the classroom that is used by companies all over the world to develop a wide variety of products, our students gain important real-world experience during their studies that will serve them well after graduation.”

“Despite an immediate, critical need for qualified technology-trained professionals in manufacturing, our customers have difficulty finding qualified candidates,” said Dora Smith, global director, Academic Partner Program, Siemens PLM Software. “Working with Vance-Granville Community College, Siemens PLM Software is helping prepare students with the knowledge and experience to fill this skills gap and become highly qualified employees.”

About Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program is based at the college’s South Campus, located near Creedmoor in southern Granville County. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Legal note

Note: Solid Edge and Tecnomatix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.