Northshore Technical Community College

The Customer

Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) has significantly expanded its community outreach and workforce development through the strategic deployment of its Mobile Mechatronics Lab and Mobile STEM Lab. These mobile training units have been instrumental in providing career exploration, industry certifications, and community engagement across the Northshore and surrounding regions.

The Customer

Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) has significantly expanded its community outreach and workforce development through the strategic deployment of its Mobile Mechatronics Lab and Mobile STEM Lab. These mobile training units have been instrumental in providing career exploration, industry certifications, and community engagement across the Northshore and surrounding regions.

Overview

NTCC’s mobile labs have served as critical tools for delivering hands-on technical education and industry-relevant certifications to a diverse range of students, from middle schoolers to university students, even incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth. The program has focused on building a more skilled workforce and fostering inspiration, curiosity, and opportunity throughout Southeast Louisiana.

Impact and Results

NTCC’s mobile labs have empowered students of all ages and backgrounds by delivering hands-on technical education and industry-relevant certifications throughout the region. These efforts are not only building a more skilled workforce but also fostering inspiration, curiosity, and opportunity across Southeast Louisiana.

Program Highlights

• Mechatronics Apprenticeship Program: NTCC students received hands-on technical training, earning NC3 certifications in laser cutting, 3D printing, PLCs, Robotics, Hydraulics, and Data Analytics. Workforce training also included on-site PLC training for Smitty’s Supply employees.
• Community Engagement: The Mobile Mechatronics Lab has engaged students at Southeastern Louisiana University, alternative education sites like Project TEAM West, and public events such as Stennis Space Day, and Chevron’s STEM Day at the St. Tammany Children’s Museum. NTCC also hosted National Manufacturing Day. Students connected with advanced technologies at the LAMA 3D Printing Conference at LSU and the Banner Ford Mustang Club event.
• Regional STEM Awareness: NTCC presented at the Delgado STEAM Fest, participated in the Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Expo, and hosted joint student tours with Southeastern Louisiana University at Elmer Chocolate. An NTCC instructor served as a Master Trainer for NC3 Robotics during a Train-the-Trainer session in Alabama.
• Spring 2025 Initiatives: Events included Math Measures Up, a Chevron-sponsored applied math experience, and the Advanced Technology Summit, which brought over 800 high school students together with industry leaders. The mobile labs supported re-entry and equity-focused programs, delivering NC3 PMI certifications to The Parole Project and Rayburn Correctional Center. NTCC also hosted Habitat for Humanity students in collaboration with the University of Findlay.
• Summer 2025 Outreach: The academic year concluded with certification training for HVAC students and a successful Summer Career Exploration Academy focused on laser cutting. The Mobile STEM Lab made return visits to alternative education programs.
• WORC Grant: The Mobile Mechatronics Lab is funded through a Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant, a Delta Regional Authority initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen workforce training and education in rural communities.