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.

The funding is part of $50 million that the U.S. Small Business Administration allocated Wednesday to technical schools and community colleges across the country, said system spokesperson Noel Gallagher.

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.

It will allow 600 additional students to take the courses in the coming school year, Gallagher said.

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 initial goal was to prepare skilled workers for defense contractors such as General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Pratt & Whitney, which contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

“This grant allows us to take training that’s already proven itself with Maine’s largest defense manufacturers and put it directly into the hands of the small shops and suppliers,” said Dan Belyea, head of workforce development for the community colleges.

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. Students may apply through the system’s website.