Similar things happened in Northern California. Sacramento City College's
program went years ago. Sierra College's program went a couple years ago.
The loss of two airforce bases and an army depot had a lot to do with it.
Nearest machine shop programs to Sacramento are now both about 50 miles away
at Delta College in Stockton and Yuba College in Marysville. I assume Yuba
is still viable because Beale Airforce Base, home of the U2 and Global Hawk,
is next door. Delta seems to survive because it offers the opportunity to
get CNC skills. They have 3 Fadal CNC machining centers and a tool room
mill, and two CNC lathes, along with all the manual stuff one would expect.
There seem to be jobs in many companies around here for folks with CNC
skills. And there are even some jobs for those without them. I talked with
the owner of one business who was complaining about not being able to find
qualified machinists.

Part of the problem in California was a Superintendent of Education who
decided every kid was supposed to go to college. The gutting of vocational
programs in high school and community college pretty much started with him.
But there is a glimmer of hope. One local school district is supposed to be
bringing back shop classes in highschool.

So, Ernie, with the LeBlond Regal lathe, you are only 3 generations obsolete
instead of 4? Actually, that should be a real nice machine for a welding
program.