FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
February 19, 2016
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM HOSTS OPEN HOUSE
Hot Springs, Arkansas – The National Park College (NPC) Industrial Technology Program hosted an open house this week in the new Industrial Technology Lab. The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Club performed a ribbon cutting that followed remarks from program director William Polk, associate vice president for technical education, David Hughes, NPC President, Dr. John Hogan, and representatives from Berry Plastics.
Using a federal Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training ( TAACCCT ) grant, the College created the Industrial Technology program, which is specifically tailored to help close the skills gaps of local manufacturing employers. NPC collaborated with Berry Plastics, industry and grant partner, to create scheduling and sequencing to accommodate employees’ work schedules and provide targeted services to ensure success. Chuck Overton, Berry Plastics Director of Maintenance Operations discussed the impact the program has made including a measurable employee difference.
Polk said, “We are passionate about building the workforce that Garland County needs. We have taken the time to survey employers and we believe this program is a perfect fit for our region.”
The Industrial Technology program provides the basis for a career in many fields including Fluid Power Mechanic, Controls and Automation, Technician, Multi-Craft Technician, Millwright, Sensors and Instrumentation Technician, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic and Mechatronics Technician, among others. It prepares students with the skills necessary for a variety of jobs in modern manufacturing facilities. The program provides entry level knowledge and skills to set up, operate, maintain and repair the machines and control systems that power industry.
The 28 credit hour program of study leads to a Technical Certificate in Industrial Technology and can be completed in as little as six months. All credit hours apply toward the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in General Technology. Core technical subjects include blueprint reading, mechanical systems, fluid power, electricity, motor controls and programmable logic controllers.
Guests and community partners attending the event included Greater Hot Springs Chamber
of Commerce President, Jim Fram, Lake Hamilton School District Superintendent, Steve
Anderson, Arkansas Community Colleges Executive Director, Bill Stovall, NPC Board of Trustees Secretary, Gail Ezelle, Henderson State University - Hot Springs
Downtown Education Center Executive Director, Christi Nation, Field Representative for Congressman Bruce Westerman, Cara Cox, Manager of the Arkansas Workforce Center, Janet
Edgar, representatives from College of the Ouachita’s Mechatronics program, and representatives
from Berry Plastics, Sigma Supply and Munro Shoes. Photo: GHSCC Ambassadors, Dr. John Hogan, Trustee Gail Ezelle, and Ed Henthorn from Berry Plastics at the Industrial Technology
Program Open House Ribbon Cutting.
NPC is located in a growing manufacturing hub, producing a diversity of products from
rubber bands and bottle caps to industrial cables and lumber equipment. The College
strives to meet the needs of local business and industry through workforce development
and academic programs that prepare a workforce with the skills to be competitive in
today’s workplace.
