Technology Center offers new class

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

PALLAS

Increased student demand brought on by a still-sluggish economy has led the Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville to expand its industrial maintenance program beginning in October.

According to director Dr. Abraham Pallas, graduates of the Technology Center’s industrial maintenance program are among the most sought after by area employers. Recent graduates, he noted, have been hired by WastAway Services, Federal Mogul and M-Tek. Additionally, both Bridgestone and Oster Corporations have sent employees for the training provided by the course.

The expanded full-time program will be offered to supplement the existing part-time evening/afternoon program. Full-time students will attend classes from 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Monday through Friday for five quarters. Subjects studied include electricity, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), basic machine tool technology, welding, hydraulics/pneumatics and mechanical systems, including rigging.

Average starting wages for related occupations, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, are:

• Electronics repairer – $15.28/hr.

• Maintenance repairer – $9.10/hr.

• Welders and cutters – $11.43/hr.

Tuition and fees for full-time students at the Technology Center, effective Oct. 1, are $387 per quarter. This figure does not include books and other additional supplies.

To learn more about the industrial maintenance program contact the Technology Center at 474-TECH.