New River Community and Technical College and the Mercer County Technical Education Center in Princeton have formed a partnership that will allow Adult Education electrical students from MCTEC to participate in a Summer Pathways program designed to create interest in the field of electric motor remanufacturing. Students who complete the program will obtain a rudimentary understanding of electric motors and remanufacturing facilities and will earn partial tuition waivers at New River CTC.
The program kicked off on Friday, April 25, when 11 students enrolled in the MCTEC Journeyman Electrician program visited New River’s Advanced Technology Center in Ghent for an introduction to the industry and a brief overview of the four select training modules available to them through program. The day included a presentation by Jerry Pedigo of Smith Services, information sessions on the training modules and hands-on sessions in the Industrial Technology Lab at the ATC.
Students who attended the introductory sessions said they were excited because they could begin to see the practical applications of what they have been learning at MCTEC.
“The Electric Motor Remanufacturing program is offering the adult learners an experiential approach to area industry. Students are recognizing local opportunities for employment and realizing manufacturing is a viable industry in Southern West Virginia,” noted Mary Igo, interim director of Workforce Education at New River CTC.
On May 2, 8 and 9 the students will be onsite at Smith Services in Princeton, where they will alternate through their pre-assigned training modules and job shadow employees. Smith Services is the largest, independently owned motor repair company under one roof in the continental United States.
On May 23, the students will return to the Advanced Technology Center for a review session and an opportunity to enroll in fall classes at New River CTC. The college will make available $500 tuition waivers for students who are admitted to the Line Service Mechanic, Machine Tool Technology or Industrial Technology program.
“The summer pathways project is intended to give prospective students a real look at career possibilities. The project with MCTEC and Smith Services is one of the many opportunities for New River to showcase program-to-career pathways,” said Dr. Carry DeAtley, New River CTC associate vice president for academic affairs.
