Today the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research cut the ribbon on the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing Maritime Training Center.  The new facility is 107,000 square feet and is a $53 million investment.

President of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Telly Tucker says the program has already been a big success.

Vic Ingram, the Chairman of the Regional Industrial Facility Authority, said yesterday was a big day for the area.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research also now has two gifts from the Navy that are visible on campus. A sail from the USS Buffalo and the rudder from the USS Providence.

The ATDM program has now been at the Institute for five years. The program is 600 hours of instruction over the course of four months.

Due to the importance of submarines in military defense, the Navy is currently funding ATDM and students are trained in the skills needed to repair, upfit, and build submarines. These skills are transferrable to other defense industry companies, as well.