A $5 million federal grant will help the Maine Community College System expand short-term workforce training programs that prepare students for jobs at small- and mid-sized manufacturers. A student practices welding in a workforce development course at Central Maine Community College. (Courtesy of Maine Community College System)In Maine, the money will expand access to several existing classes in fabrication, precision machining, welding, blueprint reading, quality assurance, marine pipefitting and manufacturing technologies. The no-cost courses were developed by the system’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce and the Maine Defense Industry Alliance. The courses run for four to six weeks, depending on subject area, and are offered at Central Maine Community College, Southern Maine Community College and York County Community College.