IVCE offers 10-week utility technician training
MARSHALLTOWN – The deadline for applications for the Iowa Valley Continuing Education 10-week Utility Technician Training (March 14 – June 7, 2013) is quickly approaching! This training successfully served 88 participants over the last year and a half and will again be funded through State of Iowa Energy Sector Partnership Grant (or SESP) funds through Iowa Workforce Development. Alliant Energy is IVCE’s training partner. Deadlines for this grant-funded training is Friday, Feb. 22.
“It’s a short-term intensive training, developed in cooperation with Alliant Energy, which successfully combines industry and college training,” Lori Wildman, IVCE Workforce Education Coordinator, explained. “This ‘blended’ training program’s goal is to expose students to the overall skills needed to gain entry in the utility industry, energy sector jobs, or jobs that use our transferable skills. The overall skills component is what makes us ‘different’ and perhaps ‘unique’.”
Training will be held both at the college and on site at Alliant Energy’s training facility, and includes: MeterPro (meter reading); computer basics; basic electricity; gas; welding; hand and power tools; climbing; heavy equipment; Class A CDL training; customer interaction; math; print reading; mechanical drives; team building, technical writing/reading; CPR Certification (American Red Cross, 2-year); safety; resume, interviewing and job search skills; Human Resources day with utilities and more. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program. And since the training is grant-funded, it’s offered at no-cost to those selected.
Entrance criteria includes that persons must be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate or hold a GED, possess a current and valid driver’s license, and achieve a silver level on the National Career Readiness Certificate test (NCRC), to make application to the program. Wildman added the NCRC must be taken before the application to the program is made, so encouraged those that wish to apply to schedule their NCRC testing right away.
For more information regarding the IVCE 10-week Utility Technician Program contact Wildman at 641-844-6987or email, lori.wildman@iavalley.edu. Or visit the Utility Technician website at www.oneyeartoacareer.com.