By PAM BUNCH
Daily Courier Staff Writer

SPINDALE - Isothermal Community College’s engineering, welding and machinist programs have a great deal to offer to area industries. On Thursday, an Engineering Open House was held to showcase these programs.

Area plant managers and human resources directors from Rutherford, Polk, McDowell and Cleveland counties were invited to a series of short seminars and demonstrations designed to focus on Isothermal’s offerings and to get feedback on the potential training needs of these industries. …

Dewalt Koone, Dean of Applied Sciences and Technology, said it’s important for ICC to meet the needs of area workers, as well as industries.

“We need to get the word out to the younger generation that they need to be pursuing these jobs, because they’re high-tech and high-paying jobs,” said Koone.

Koone told attendees that one of the issues that they are going to face, or may be facing already, is finding qualified employees.

“We’re encountering the same kind of difficulties in finding students,” he said.

One of the ways that ICC is meeting this challenge is by working more closely with the high schools to provide interested students with classes that they can take, free of charge, while they are still in high school.

“When we look at the technology that we have on this campus, we have technology that the high schools cannot afford,” said Koone.

Koone said ICC has begun working with high school counselors and principals to get the word out about the programs that are available to high school students.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us,” Koone said. “It is also a tremendous opportunity for these students.”

Attendees toured the facility and watched a demonstration of the new Haas High Speed equipment. Esprit CAD/CAM representatives presented a demonstration on the latest innovations in software. Valenite Tool Company and Mitutoyo QC offered seminars. Attendees were given updates on program changes in the welding, engineering and machinist programs. They were also told about opportunities available for training and internships in the engineering and machining programs.

Machinist/Instructor Scott Bradey talked about the grants from Duke Energy that have been received by his department.

“When we got our grants this year, they stepped up with almost a half a million dollars,” said Bradey. …

Bradey also discussed the customized training available for employers with very specific needs.

For employers who need a specialized skill in their employees, ICC can provide customized training either on-site or at the machine shop on campus. …

Also discussed during the advisory committee meeting was the status of the grant application for building funds from the Goldenleaf Foundation which was not received this year. However, Bradey told the group that the college came close. He added that with their assistance in the form of letters of support, he feels certain that ICC will be given the grant next year.

With many opportunities available within Rutherford, Cleveland and Polk counties right now, workers looking for better jobs may want to consider the machining program at ICC.

“We’re pretty much like any business,” Brady told attendees. “We have a budget to live into, problems we have to deal with. But you are our customers, and we’re here to serve you the best we can.

Note: Originally published in The Daily Courier on Dec. 12, 2006. Excerpts reprinted with permission.