Institute Expansion Plan In Limbo

By Brett Bennett

Posted: November 19, 2009 at 4:56 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — Northwest Technical Institute hopes to expand its industrial maintenance building someday, but a lack of money keeps the plan in the idea phase.

A discussion about the proposed 5,000-square-foot expansion came up during a meeting Tuesday between members of the school’s academic advisory committees and administrators.

Eddie Guinn, director of instruction, said the institute received $300,000 for the project from the Arkansas legislature, but that will not cover the cost of the planned expansion.

“We’re about $100,000 short,” he said.

Guinn said the expansion would provide new space for the industrial maintenance and welding programs. It would also have a trickle down effect of opening up space in other facilities.

Some committee members gave recommendations on upgrades that should be included with any building expansion.

Stanley Williams, of the industrial maintenance advisory committee, said the facility needs an electrical upgrade to accommodate the increased voltage used in many modern industries.

John Pianalto, member of the welding advisory committee, said the program needs a fume extractor to get rid of fumes produced in the welding process.

Industrial maintenance is a program training graduates who can find jobs in the area, Williams said.

“Many industries in our area have graduates from NTI, and they have been pleased,” Williams said.

Guinn also spoke of ongoing discussions with NorthWest Arkansas Community College about transfer credits from NTI to NWACC. They hope to make it where course credit from all NTI programs would be eligible to transfer.

Administrators heard a variety of other reports about happenings with programs.

Scott Plumlee, member of the automotive technology committee, said enrollment demand is outpacing the class slots for the automotive programs.

Guinn said the attrition rate in the surgical technology program is down. This was attributed to new requirements for prospective students, such as a dexterity test and requiring them to view a surgery before they enroll.

The surgical technology program had a 100 percent pass rate for students who completed it during the spring semester.

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