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Media Relations Jenny Tinklepaugh |
Press Release Golden LEAF & State & Private Organizations Help Fund Heavy Equipment Operations Program July 23, 2009
From SCC release – Stanly Community College (SCC) is pleased to announce a new and revolutionary Heavy Equipment Operations program that will begin fall of 2009 on the Albemarle campus. This project received support from The Golden LEAF Foundation, which has awarded Stanly Community College with two grants totaling $265,000. “Golden LEAF has provided SCC’s shortterm heavy equipment operator program with funding for both the virtual and heavy equipment needed to have a first-rate program,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF President. “The Foundation’s grant provides trained operators for the companies here today looking for qualified workers. Golden LEAF is proud to help SCC build the talent, knowledge and skill of North Carolinians so that they may have the opportunity for immediate employability in the current economy.” Carolina CAT®, SCC’s Heavy Equipment Operations partner, has also been involved in sustaining the program. Vic Morris, Vice President and General Manager, Construction Equipment Division, Carolina CAT® noted, “Carolina CAT® is proud to be a partner in the new Heavy Equipment Operations Program at Stanly Community College. Heavy equipment operations can be a very honorable and rewarding career. This training program is well designed to prepare the student for immediate job opportunities upon graduation.” The NC Air Guard utilized Carolina CAT® equipment and NC Air Guard trucks to clear a 15-acre site on the Albemarle campus. This area will be utilized for the new outdoor heavy equipment lab to train students. The JobsNOW “12 in 6” initiative has been instrumental in helping to launch this new program by providing instruction funding, as well as some student scholarships. The JobsNow “12 in 6” project is a collaborative effort between the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Development, Centralina Workforce Development Board, and the North Carolina Community College System. The JobsNOW “12 in 6” initiative is subsidized under the Workforce Investment Act through funds by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Local heavy equipment vendors and contractors provided key knowledge for curriculum development and instructional enhancement. The Heavy Equipment Operations program will involve approximately 675-contact hours that includes classroom and hands-on training focused on: construction and industry safety, hand and power tools, equipment controls and techniques, construction math, site materials, basic computer skills, as well as fundamentals of civil engineering and drawings. The curriculum materials are accredited and supplied from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. Students will utilize CAT® Virtual Training Systems, which are mobile simulators for assignments and performance requirements. Students will also learn “hands-on” skills in the new outdoor lab, located near the Snyder Building on the Albemarle campus. SCC President Dr. Michael Taylor noted, “We are very fortunate to be able to work with such dedicated partners to launch a program of this magnitude, we know it will have a positive impact across the state. I want to personally thank all of our supporters; The Golden LEAF Foundation, Carolina CAT®, CATERPILLAR®, the NC Air Guard, and the JobsNOW “12 in 6” initiative, for all their hard work and commitment that helped sharpen our strategy for this program.” For more information about the Heavy Equipment Operations program contact Ed Gann, Career and Technical Education Coordinator at 704-991-0318 or egann9744@stanly.edu or visit our website at www.stanly.edu. July 21, 2009 -- North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco was on the campus of Stanly Community College Tuesday to help launch SCC's newest program, a course to train heavy equipment operators. Secretary Crisco joined college partners from the public and private sector who gathered on the 15-acre training site, located behind the Snyder Learning Center. The first class of 20-students will begin course work next month. SCC President Dr. Michael Taylor welcomed the group and noted the various partnerships that were all critical to the launch of the new program. He recognized Golden LEAF Foundation President Dan Gerlach and Golden LEAF Foundation Senior Vice President Mark Sorrells for the funding provided by that organization. “Golden LEAF provided the first funding to get the program off the ground and then just recently funded another grant for $160,000 that will allow us to purchase equipment for the program,” Dr. Taylor explained. Dr. Taylor also cited the support of the Centralina Workforce Development Board, and thanked Executive Director David Hollars for his leadership. Also on hand for the kick-off was Kennon Briggs, Chief Operating Officer of the North Carolina Community College System. Dr. Taylor thanked Briggs and the system office for their help in providing JobsNow “12 in 6” funding for the new project. JobsNow, a jobs training initiative from Governor Perdue and the Commerce Department, will provide funding to hire a program head for the new program. Dr. Taylor also cited the work of the Air National Guard who provided the manpower to clean the site. Air Guard heavy equipment operators drove the equipment that removed trees and brush from the 15-acre site and Dr. Taylor called their work indispensable to creating the training site on campus. Also on hand for the ceremony were a number of officials from Carolina CAT of Charlotte, the regional Caterpillar dealer, who has been very supportive of the new program, according to the SCC President. “Carolina CAT has stepped up and agreed to assist in providing us with the equipment we must have to offer the practical experience so necessary in this program,” Dr. Taylor explained. Vic Morris, Vice President of the Construction Equipment Division of Carolina CAT spoke on behalf of his company. Also speaking during the program were Secretary Crisco, a Stanly County native, Gerlach, Briggs, Hollars and Lt. Colonel Russell Ponder for the Air Guard. For more information, contact Michelle Peifer at (704) 991-0393 or mpeifer7924@stanly.edu.
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