Jamestown Community College's Board of Trustees has authorized college officials to move forward with a proposed new credit certificate program in industrial maintenance technology.
The proposal, which has already been reviewed by the college's faculty, now moves on to both the State University of New York and the state Education Department for the next stages of approval.
According to Michael Weaver, JCC's director of engineering science and technology, the certificate will help support the needs of local industries for trained personnel.
"Employer need for this program was determined through a survey of manufacturers and facilities in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Warren counties, and evaluation of previous non-credit offerings," Weaver said. "The proposed certificate will prepare students with the necessary interdisciplinary background to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment used in a manufacturing or facilities environment.
Students who complete the program successfully will be well qualified for entry-level positions in industrial maintenance as well as other entry-level manufacturing jobs. Job titles may include industrial electrician, industrial machinery mechanic, installation technician, industrial technician, and building maintenance mechanic. The certificate will also allow personnel presently employed by industry to obtain a credential showing basic competence in the skills necessary for advancement."
Marilyn Zagora, vice president and dean of academic affairs, said while courses that can be applied toward the proposed certificate are currently being offered, JCC will be able to admit students into the program when both state level approval processes are complete, most likely in the spring of 2013.
"The program core includes basic foundations of automation systems used in advanced manufacturing and facilities maintenance," said Jean Schrader, assistant dean of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "Courses emphasize the key fundamentals of AC/DC electricity, programmable logic controllers, electric motors and controls, hydraulics and pneumatics, manual and CNC machining, and welding."
For more information, call Weaver at 338-1328.