Northwest Technical Institute Seeks New Programs

SPRINGDALE -- Local students will have more options next year at Northwest Technical Institute.

The school's Board of Directors discussed two programs at Tuesday's meeting. They also approved a diesel technology program for high school students.

By The Numbers

Northwest Technical Institute

Fall 2014 Enrollment

219: Number of post-secondary students enrolled.

292: Number of secondary students enrolled.

Source: Staff Report

The school has had a college-level diesel program for over 20 years, said Robbie Cornelius, vice president of instruction. They want to expand it to the high school level because the career field is growing.

Stephanie Trolinger, director of the school's Secondary Career Center, said she spoke with officials at the Arkansas Department of Career Education and learned the program would be the only one for high school students in Northwest Arkansas and the third in the state.

The program would last two years, Trolinger said. It could help students get ahead on the diesel program after high school by fulfilling one semester of the 18-month post-secondary program.

The course would accommodate five to eight students in the first year, Trolinger said. Officials want to keep the number low, because the students will work with heavy equipment. They want the teacher to be able to keep an eye on the students for safety reasons.

School officials will apply to the Department of Career Education for the high school diesel program by Oct. 1, Trolinger said. The program will start in August 2015 if approved.

A new post-secondary welding program will also begin in August 2015, Trolinger said. The course was approved by the department on Aug. 7 and will accommodate five to 10 students during the first year, Cornelius said.

The program will allow students to finish with a diploma and at least one industry certification, Cornelius said.

Clifton Braker, a new member of the board, said he is concerned about the certification, because there are 482 available for different specialties, like structural welding. Welders often have to get new certifications in different areas when they move to another job.

It would be best if students were educated on their options within welding so they know which certifications they want to pursue, Braker said.

School officials will hire two new teachers, one for each of the new programs, said Michael Hamley, vice president of finance and operations.

"To do more, you need more," he said.

The new programs will also help increase the number of students attending the institute, said Blake Robertson, president. He said he is concerned, however, about proper facilities.

Officials are expanding the building used for diesel technology classes and should be finished by late spring 2015, Robertson said. The building is now 6,000 square feet in size and will double to 12,000 square feet. The ceiling will also be higher, so students can use a lift to work under trucks.

Robertson said he would like to eventually place the ammonia refrigeration, industrial maintenance, electronics and welding programs in the same building, because they share a lot of classes.

NW News on 09/03/2014

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