Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Robotics center moving forward

NewsChannel 19's Barry Hiett Reports:

Planning ahead for the future. It won't be long before a new Robotics Center will be calling the Calhoun Community College campus home.

And faculty members here want to make sure that students who participate in the program are well trained before they enter the high tech work force.

"This particular facility really highlights robotics and automation software and that is just...what they tell us it's an absolute have to do. And the governor is responding to that with this facility," says Ed Castile who is with Alabama Industrial Development Training.

His company recruits, screens and trains employees.

He realizes a lot of college students are well versed with computers which fits in perfectly with the new Robotics Center.

"Very computer savvy. They know how to maneuver a computer and wade through all the issues so how can we take that fun and interest and excitement to the manufacturing sector? This is the pathway," says Castile.

It was widely believed the new Robotics Center would work hand in hand with the new Volkswagen plant had VW officials decided to build a plant in north Alabama instead of Chattanooga.

Still, Calhoun President Dr. Marilyn Beck is not too concerned.

"We were disappointed about VW. I think anyone would have been. It's such a great company but we have many businesses and industries in our region who use robots," Beck says.

And that's what, Beck says, will make graduates of the Robotics Center so attractive to potential employers.

There's already a big marketplace here in north Alabama for their soon to be talents.

Dr. Beck says more than 100 businesses in north Alabama already use robots.

Calhoun's Robotic Center should be completed at the end of 2009.