The New Collar Innovation Center will be hosting a variety of events for their grand opening from August 6 - 15. To see the full schedule of events and to learn more, visit their website: https://newcollarnetwork.com/new-collar-innovation-center-grand-opening/.

The New Collar Innovation Center is created in collaboration with Santa Fe Community College and is housed at the beautiful Santa Fe Higher Education Center administered by SFCC.  “We learned during the pandemic that higher education is changing, and we must be open to new, innovative education models to meet the current needs of our students,” explained SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D. “The New Collar Innovation Center does just that – opening doors to a wider audience, especially through New Collar classes offered through SFCC’s Continuing Education program.”

According to Boisvert, “Disruptive technologies like 3D Printing, AR/VR, and robotics are creating a world of new possibilities for fun, engaging, well-paying jobs that don’t necessarily require college degrees!” Blue and white-collar jobs are now blended into digital New Collar jobs, a term coined by IBM CEO Ginny Rometty to describe the impact technology disruption has had on the workplace.  

The New Collar Innovation Center provides digital badge micro-certifications in skills like CAD Design, operating a 3D Printer, repairing a robot, design thinking, Laser & CNC machining, and technical writing. NCIC also offers online programs that are also bundled with introductory 3D Printers from 3D PrintLife and Matterhackers. For entrepreneurs, digital badges are offered in collaboration with the Santa Fe Business Incubator for skills such as prototyping new products, market segmentation strategy, and implementing New Collar worker training.