Certified Education Centers

Kirkwood Community College,Cedar Rapids, Iowa
www.kirkwood.cc.ia.us

Direct Contact: Phil Thomas
Dean, Industrial Technologies
pthomas@kirkwood.edu

Kirkwood Community College is committed to providing total training solutions, partnering with companies to create customized programs that are central to the operation's success. Kirkwood has been proactive in forming business partnerships, coalitions, and consortiums that address industry sector work force needs. In Fall 2008, Kirkwood will launch an Associates Degree in Fabrication, which will include hands-on learning on laser, press brake, and waterjet machine tools.

Moraine Park Technical College opened its Applied Manufacturing Technology Center in 2002 with a mission to help build a competitive work force in the manufacturing industry for the benefit of manufacturing employees, employers, and those desiring to enter these high-skill occupations. The Center builds upon the resources of high-leverage partnerships, state-of-the-art equipment and software, quality training and the spirit of entrepreneurship to create customer-driven training solutions to current and future work force challenges.

Rock Valley College is committed to helping businesses thrive through employee skills upgrading, customized training, technical assistance, and other services designed to improve productivity and improve the bottom line. RVC offers a range of training options that help employees upgrade skills with non-degree credit, apprenticeship and certification programs, and licensing courses in technology and professional development areas.

Established in 1964 as part of BC Vocational School, BCIT enrolls nearly 48,000 students a year with 2,200 faculty and staff. BCIT offers a variety of studies, including a rigorous welding program, with distinct levels of certification and degrees, many of which lead to professional certification. BCIT is home to a new 300,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Aerospace Technology Campus with a fleet of 20 aircraft, radio and television studio, and an automated manufacturing robotics lab. BCIT’s mission is to build pathways for career success in the global marketplace through teaching excellence and applied education and research.

Minuteman Regional Technical High School is a four-year public regional high school serving 16 member communities. The school also provides free career development programs to many adults. Minuteman is located on a 69-acre campus and is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Minuteman also serves a full spectrum of 820 or more students in grades 9 through 12, operates a career exploration program, and has college articulation agreements in every career division, which award students college credits. Students have their choice of diverse career programs, one of which is Metal Fabrication/Welding. Those involved in Metal Fabrication/Welding technology will explore various techniques, equipment, and projects while becoming certified in the state of Massachusetts.

College of DuPage,
Glen Ellyn, IL
http://www.cod.edu/

Direct Contact: Mark E. Meyer
Coordinator of Manufacturing Technology
meyerm@cod.edu

As one of the largest Manufacturing Technology programs in the Midwest, College of DuPage offers four associate degrees, six certificates, and maintains 100% placement for students completing any of these programs. College of DuPage has also recognized the long-standing issue of skilled-labor shortages throughout the United States. They have partnered with Caterpillar, Inc to offer all high school seniors and first-semester college students an internship with CAT while pursuing a degree in the technical/manufacturing field. Tuition and fees are paid for by CAT and students also take part in a full-time summer internship to compliment the hands-on experience. College of DuPage also offers a certificate in welding developing skill levels in oxyacetylene, arc, MIG, TIG, and plasma welding/cutting processes, using both manual and semi-automatic applications.

KVCC, Kalamazoo, MI
http://www.kvcc.edu/

Direct Contact: Debbie Dawson
Dean of Business and Advanced Technology
ddawson@kvcc.edu

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a diverse institution dedicated as much to their students and community as they are to education. They have been in the news for hosting training for the health care field, lead contaminant awareness, as well as their students pursuing summer apprenticeships as research assistants to "Bridge" their transition into a science career. Kalamazoo Valley Community College also provides apprenticeships for eleven other fields including those interested in Welding Technologies. Students interested in welding as a career have their choice of an Associates in Applied Science degree, a Certificate, or a fast track in the Welding Academy! Students who successfully complete the 6 week Academy will also demonstrate the ability to qualify in accordance with the American Welding Society.

Louisiana Technical College, Greater Acadiana Region 4
http://www.greateracadianaregion.net

Direct Contact: Pierre Juteau
 MFG Instructor/Consultant
pjuteau@hotmail.com

The mission of Louisiana Technical College, Greater Acadiana Region 4 is to provide training which assists students in acquiring the skills necessary for employment.  The Region consists of seven campuses with approximately 40 training programs offering certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.  LTC Region 4 is also passionate about giving back to the community.  Students of the college are involved in a program to rebuild homes devastated by Hurricane Rita.  The program aims to train employment areas that are crucial for Louisiana to recover.  Workforce training is changing rapidly, paced by technological changes. The business community depends on technical colleges to provide a workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge that will ensure economic growth in various manufacturing occupations such as machining, welding, and industrial maintenance.

Renton Technical College, Renton, WA
http://www.rtc.edu/

Direct Contact: Gay Kiesling
Trade & Industry and Apprenticeship, Dean
gkiesling@RTC.edu

Renton Technical College has a rich history spanning from 1942.  Their mission is a reflection of their successful past to “prepare a diverse student population for work, fulfilling the employment needs of individuals, business and industry.”  One of their outstanding programs is Welding.  This program articulates with Tech Prep programs through the South King County Tech Prep Consortium and students participating in this program can receive a Certificate of Completion or an Associate of Applied Science.  For students considering Welding, there is a scholarship available among several others for the trades.  Renton also holds annual events, one being the Golf Tournament, to raise money for the Welding scholarship.

Lincoln Educational Services, Grand Prairie, TX
http://www.lincolnedu.com/

Direct Contact: Mike Stewart                                  
mstewart@lincolntech.com

Talk about hands-on!  Students at Lincoln Technical Institute in Texas practice their skills on several race cars owned by the college.  Then, get to test them out on race nights!  Instructors are ASE certified and students are offered a dealership internship—one of which being the Sears START program.  Electronic Systems Technician students train in a live “Smart House”.  Those students involved in the welding program graduate well-versed with all the key elements in professional welding including Basic Arc (SMAW) Welding, GMAW/FCAW (MIG) Plate Welding and GMAW/FCAW (MIG) Pipe Welding.  Lincoln Tech also offers programs in the skilled trades for HVAC, Electronic Engineering, Electrician, and Drafting.

Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL
http://www.icc.edu/

Direct Contact: Dr. Rick Polanin, CMfgE, CWI
AIT Welding Coordinator/Instructor
rpolanin@icc.edu

Illinois Central College caters to students of all ages from high school graduates to seasoned veterans.  While students are looking to further their status educationally, ICC is leading by example to be the best among community colleges.  By participating in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), ICC is consistently identifying action projects that address specific opportunities for improvement.  Focusing activities to improve student learning is just one of those AQIP philosophies.  ICC has specifically partnered with General Motors and Caterpillar to address that goal by means of real-world interaction.  While their AIT programs have been backed by big names in the industry, their welding programs also prepare students to enter the industry upon completion.  Students are challenged and encouraged to be creative with their skills and often develop items for practical use as part of a class project.