Northwest Iowa Community College has received a $50,000 2022 Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund Grant from the State of Iowa. NCC will be creating an industry recognized non-credit certificate program in Industrial Maintenance. The grant funds will specifically support the purchase of needed equipment for the training program.
This new industry recognized non-credit certificate program in Industrial Maintenance will focus on skills needed in both electrical and mechanical fields. The 200-hour training program will train industrial maintenance technicians to maintain, repair, and replace electrical and mechanical systems key to manufacturing processes. covers shop math, measurement, blueprint reading, tools, electrical safety variable frequency drives, programmable logic controllers, troubleshooting techniques, maintenance of bearings, motors, process controls, hydraulics/pneumatics, pumps and valves, and lubrication of equipment.
The goal is twofold, help those that are unemployed or underemployed begin a career in an in-demand field. Secondly, NCC will help to fill job openings that are vital to the success of our area business partners. By completing this program, which was created with company feedback during the curriculum design stage, participants will be able to immediately enter into employment with NCC business partners.
NCC has partnered with area manufacturers, food processors, and bio-industries to create a training certificate program that will provide a broad skill set that is acceptable for new entry level hires within their organizations. Company feedback during roundtable events have ensured the curriculum and training equipment needed is appropriate.
Upon successful completion, participants will have an NCC Industrial Maintenance non-credit certificate that is locally recognized along with industry recognized credentials from National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) and Amatrol training systems. There will be NC3 or Amatrol certification showing participants’ competency in each subject area of the program.
Finally, this training program is being created to allow business partners to develop apprenticeship opportunities. The curriculum can be used to also serve as the Related Technical Instruction component for an Iowa Workforce and Development registered apprenticeship.