It's a new era in workforce development for Craven Community College in New Bern.

A dedication was held Wednesday for the new Bosch and Siemens advanced manufacturing center. Craven Community College leaders have joined with Bosch officials to build the 7.9 million dollar, 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility which is expected to attract state and local business.

The advanced training facility will house well equipped labs to provide hands on training experience in computer integrated manufacturing, automation, plastics and manufacturing design.

The new manufacturing facility will house Craven early college classrooms. Construction of the center fulfills a promise the state made to BSH in 2001 to persuade to company to expand it's operations in Craven County.