OCTC Receives $400,000 KCTCS Award for a Project Based, Multi-Craft Certificate Program - TechX

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/28/2018) — OCTC has been granted a $400,000 award through the KCTCS Entrepreneurial/Innovation Initiative for Non-Traditional Students. OCTC received the top award in this competitive process.

OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams commented, "We are very excited to have been awarded the funding to launch this project. This fits perfectly with our mission to not only serve students that can attend during the day, but to also expand our offerings and reach those nontraditional students that may be tied to a job during the day. This transformative program will provide individuals with accelerated, hands-on training and learning to get them into the manufacturing workforce quickly."

OCTC's new Tech X initiative is a multi-craft technologist program that will offer hands-on training in a real-world, industrial environment. It will encourage participants to develop both technical and analytical thinking skills related to work flow and production output. Additionally, participants will work individually and in teams on problem-based scenarios that relate to the overall manufacturing process.

"This is a perfect opportunity for OCTC. Not only were we awarded this funding, but we also have David Ashley on staff with real world experience in setting up similar, stellar programs" added Cindy Fiorella, OCTC's Vice President of Workforce Solutions.

This initiative will offer hands-on construction, fabrication, fitting, welding, and manufacturing training in a real-world, industrial environment. Skill attainment, lean processes, and quality improvement will be integrated throughout the program's experiential learning approach, utilizing a standard module format - orientation, instruction/safety training, skill practices, project assignment, and presentation/completion.

Program Director David Ashley remarked, "Having a singular skill is rapidly becoming outdated, but having a multiple skill foundation is marketable in a "Skills Gap" world. Our Multi-Craft Technologists will be preparing for a journey into life-long learning and adjusting as technology changes. Foundations in Robotics, Machine Tool, Welding, Fabrication and Material Handling is the launch pad for a career as a technologist."

Each module is progressive and participating students earn a Gas Welder Certificate, Arc Cutter Certificate, Production Line Welder Certificate and a Forklift Operators Certificate upon completion of the coursework.

Two tracks will be offered that provide flexibility for a variety of non-traditional, time-challenged adults. The daytime option will allow students to attend classes eight hours per day, three days per week for a seven-month period. The evening option will allow students to attend classes four hours per evening, four nights per week for a nine-month period.

Students will also receive concierge-like services from a Career Navigator/Success Coach, modeled after the GO FAME initiative.

OCTC is currently recruiting students for the first two cohorts of 16 students in each daytime and evening session, for a total of 32 available seats in the initial start-up. The college is currently advertising for team members to teach in this innovative program

For more information about OCTC's Tech X, please contact project director, David Ashley via e-mail at david.ashley@kctcs.edu.

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