OCTC Partners with Local Industry for Auto FastTrack Program
Free Info Sessions June 11, June 25 and July 17
Owensboro, KY (05/21/2019) — The "work and learn" model has provided new pathways to success for students in advanced manufacturing (GO FAME), business (GO CAREERS), and the TechX short-term modularized curriculum for fabrication, fork lift operation, and welding at Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC).
In partnership with local businesses and the support of a KCTCS-TRAINS grant, OCTC is bringing work and learn to the automotive field with the new Auto FastTrack program. Stepping beyond traditional lecture/lab instructional models, this program offers hands-on project-based training in a real-world, industry environment. Students will earn wages through employment in the field three to four days per week while attending college two days per week. Placement interviews will be held during the first week of August.
"This is an employer driven program that will not only meet the employer and community needs but provide a valuable life skill set preparing students to enter the transportation repair industry" commented Mike Rodgers, OCTC Chief Institutional Officer.
Sixteen students will be selected by the partner employers. Beginning on day one of the program, students will put the skills learned in the classroom directly to use in the workplace, earning credit for the skills acquired on the job. Sponsoring employers include: Don Moore Automotive Group, Champion Ford, Pogue Automotive, Henderson Chevrolet, Harley Automotive, and Expressway Automotive Group. Employer partners will assist with recruiting and selecting the students and providing mentoring at the job site.
Creative course scheduling will allow students to earn stackable credentials. Program coordinator Fred Wright added, "We have bundled courses each semester that lead to industry-recognized certificates to make it possible for students to quickly earn credentials that can be used in the workplace for advancement."
OCTC will award prior credit for individuals who have received ASE certification in specific automotive courses or award academic credit for certifications earned by those who have received automotive technician training from automotive manufacturers.
OCTC President Scott Williams commented, "These innovative programs are serving the adult students better, allowing them more schedule flexibility and multiple entry/exits points. But I want to emphasize the benefits of the support of our industry partners. Without their guidance, participation, and honest feedback these programs would not be successful."
Students will be required to successfully complete at least 70% of program competencies and maintain a 90% attendance rate to be successful. They will "clock in" for class, just as employees do in a real work setting, reinforcing employer expectations.
FastTrack incorporates strategies to increase the student's awareness of accountability, communication, and teamwork.
The program will lead to eight certificates that coincide with the requirements of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), which accredits automotive training programs in the United States. Students will be prepared to take the eight core Automotive Service Engineer (ASE) certifications and may also take additional general education courses to complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology.
Free student information sessions will be held: Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 25 at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. All session will be held at OCTC's Southeastern Campus, located at 1901 Southeastern Parkway. Interested students should park in the lower level lot and enter through the "High Tech Way" entrance. Faculty and admissions staff will be on hand to tour the automotive labs and answer questions.
The Auto Fast Track program is taking applications for students to begin in August. For more information about the program or to become an employer partner please contact Ceary Thomas at ceary.thomas@kctcs.eduor call 270-686-4623.
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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.
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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.
Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC
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Free student information sessions will be held: Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 25 at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. All session will be held at OCTC’s Southeastern Campus, located at 1901 Southeastern Parkway. Interested students should park in the lower level lot and enter through the “High Tech Way” entrance. Faculty and admissions staff will be on hand to tour the automotive labs and answer questions.
