Grayson County College’s Center for Workplace Learning (CWL) announces a new training program that focuses on maintenance skills for local industries. The Industrial Maintenance Technician (IMT) program was designed by area industry professionals to incorporate many of the skills that are needed in workplace in the North Texas region.        

Free information sessions will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9:00 a.m. Sept. 11 for those interested in learning more about the new training program. To reserve a place in either information session, visit the website at www.cwlgcc.org or phone 903-463-8765. Classes begin Sept. 21 in the CWL on the GCC Main Campus.        

A recent Texas State Comptroller’s Jobs and Education for Texans grant has made possible equipment for a state-of-the-art learning lab in the new Career and Technology Center at GCC. Students in the IMT program will learn basic knowledge and skills necessary to assemble, install, troubleshoot, repair and modify various types of equipment and automated systems in manufacturing and commercial facilities. Technicians learn to interact with other team members, operators, suppliers and customers to perform their job responsibilities and help to improve the company’s competitiveness.

Specific courses will include hands-on learning in preventive maintenance, basic AC/DC electrical systems, motors and motor controllers, rigging and conveying systems, introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), blueprint reading and hydraulics and pneumatics maintenance. Students will also learn technical math, maintenance awareness, safety and workplace communications. Understanding how to evaluate cost of repairs and quality practices are also covered. Certificates of Completion of this non-credit program are available. The 360-hour Continuing Education certificate program is pending final approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5:00 p.m. weekly. Part One runs from late September to early March. Part Two classes will begin in late March and end in August. Evening and Saturday options are being considered, depending upon level of interest and demand. 

The Department of Labor Industrial Outlook reports that employment of industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance technicians is expected to grow steadily through 2018. There will also be a need to replace the many older workers who are expected to retire.  North Texas employers are seeking entry level applicants who enjoy working with their hands, have good work ethics, and possess basic skills in installation and repair. However, many employers have reported difficulty in recruiting young workers with even basic maintenance and troubleshooting skills.