SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - On Wednesday, Congressman Richard Neal visited Western New England University to announce significant funding for the college's engineering department. Officials I spoke with tell me this will allow students to excel in their studies and prepare for successful careers in the engineering field. Western New England University in Springfield is set to receive over $850,000 to ADVANCE its engineering department. Congressman Richard Neal included this funding for this project in the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bill. "Manufacturing is a very important part of the future for those of us who live in the Pioneer Valley and deep western Massachusetts, advanced manufacturing is holding its own," said Neal. The funding will be used to move the Center for Avanced Manufactoring Systems into a larger space with advanced cutting edge technologies. "Instead of five people working in five machines, you now have one person working at one machine with the same amount of output. So you need to have the knowledge and understanding of these advanced manufacturing systems so that we'll be able to compete in a globalized marketplace," added Professor of Industrial Engineering, Chair of Engineering Department, Christian Salmon. With these advancements, the President Dr. Robert Johnson says the engineering department will be able to better prepare its students for the workforce. "It gives students the skillset and the mindset for the jobs today and of tomorrow, it's important for us to help students to learn, unlearn and relearn at a steady state," said Johnson. According to the bureau of labor statistics, more than 139,000 jobs are expected to be added for engineers up until 2026. Right now, there are 650 undergrads and 170 grads for the engineering department at Western new England Univeristy. President Dr. Robert Johnson hopes to see these numbers grow and help fill the increasing number of engineering jobs. Local News Headlines New “SoloRider” golf carts at Springfield golf courses, expanding access for disabled golfers Springfield Thunderbirds to feature Patriots and Celtics-Themed nights in November Lawmakers could repeal new laws from ballot questions Congressman Neal visits WNE to announce significant funding for college’s engineering department WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.