Hughesville, MD – Maryland Governor Larry Hogan paid a visit to a facility that has as its focus teaching skills to the Southern Maryland region’s current and future blue collar workforce. Hogan, accompanied by College of Southern Maryland (CSM) President Dr. Maureen Murphy, toured the local community college’s Center for Trades and Energy Training (CTET) in Hughesville Thursday morning, Sept. 6. Hogan and Murphy were joined by numerous college and local elected officials on the walk through the small building’s labyrinth of classrooms that double as workshops.
“To me, personally, it’s the first time a governor has come to one of my campuses,” said Murphy, who became CSM’s president in July 2017 after serving in similar posts at community colleges in New Jersey and Texas. “He didn’t come to make an announcement. He supports community colleges. It was a great way to get our message out.”
The central facility serves and is accessible to the entire region. In April of 2014 CSM completed the purchase of 74 acres in Hughesville. The additional campus aims to offer specialized programs. Prior to completion of the new structure—visible from the heavily traveled Route 5—CSM’s trade and energy training was conducted at a smaller, leased facility in Waldorf. The future of the Hughesville campus includes a fine arts building, a field house, athletic fields and CSM’s next major capital project—a health sciences building. Murphy told TheBayNet.com that the new building is in the design phase. “We are hoping to break ground next year,” said Murphy. “We’re pretty excited.” The college president added that health science programs, enrollment-wise, “are at high demand.” Currently, nursing program courses are only available at the flagship campus in La Plata. Murphy explained that having three “state-of-the-art” program centers at all three campuses isn’t fiscally possible. The relocation of the programs to Hughesville will make the commute for nursing students in the other two Southern Maryland counties easier.
The CTET has training available for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC); electrical, construction, plumbing and welding. According to statistics provided by CSM staff, the local community college is “a North American Technician Excellence Certified Testing Facility for HVAC.” The CTET’s Solar Energy Training and Testing Facility is authorized by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association and Sheet Metal Workers International Association provides pre-apprenticeship training student the option to earn preferred enrollment and placement as a helper.
Last year’s total enrollments in CSM’s workforce development training courses were 12,877. The college estimates that CTET students enjoy a 15.2 percent average rate of return on their educational investment, recovering tuition, fees and forgone wages in less than 10 years.
While Hogan’s visit had a hint of politics to it—several non-office holders who are candidates were part of the tour—the fact is the governor made no speeches during the stop. Instead the governor chatted with several students, commending them for their career ambitions. “There are going to be a lot of great jobs out there,” said Hogan, while pausing for pictures with the students. Hogan also briefly schmoozed with the college staff and CTET faculty, commending them for their efforts to improve the Southern Maryland region’s workforce.
To learn more about CSM visit their web site.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
