MASON CITY – There has been a lot of attention on the need for skilled workers in America. North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) offers many programs that can quickly train workers and get them into the workforce.
“There are many jobs available in North Iowa right now. We just need to make sure people have the necessary skills and training to fill those jobs,” said NIACC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Lyn Brodersen.
(PHOTO: Two former students of the Climate Control program: David Despenas of Mason City and James Osmundson of Albert Lea, MN.)
There are many good-paying jobs available in Advanced Manufacturing, including the fields of Building Trades / Carpentry, Climate Control and Tool and Die, just to name a few.
“Many people do not realize what Advanced Manufacturing is,” Brodersen said. “People think it’s a dirty factory job where you stand at an assembly line all day. That just isn’t the case anymore.”
There is no clear definition of Advanced Manufacturing that can completely cover all aspects of the field. However, a widely used definition involves the use of technology to improve products and/or processes, with the relevant technology being described as “advanced,” “innovative,” or “cutting edge.”
Advanced Manufacturing is a clean, high tech, high demand field that offers good paying jobs.
“Construction companies in this area tell me they can’t find enough qualified workers,” said NIACC Building Trades Instructor, Gregg Helmich.
“That is definitely true. We are looking for good workers right now,” said Kent Brcka of Henkel Construction in Mason City.
After completing the one-year Building Trades program, students are nationally certified in the field. “That means a lot to the unions,” Helmich said.
Another area for good paying jobs after graduation is in the field of climate control, which includes Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR).
“This is a very important career option,” said NIACC Climate Control instructor Jason Ott. “Everybody on the planet depends on climate control for their comfort, for health — even for survival. The NIACC Climate Control program really does prepare students for a good job after completion. There are many good paying jobs in this field right now.”
Other benefits of choosing a career in a Climate Control field is that workers are not restricted to one location and can usually move around depending on the job, Ott said. “Also, many people will be retiring from these highly technical jobs in the near future.”
Climate Control jobs also provide a sense of security since they cannot be out-sourced to other countries. “And with the cost of electricity and natural gas going up, there is a big demand for DDC Technicians in the field,” said NIACC instructor Tom Crowley.
Other educational opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing at NIACC include Tool & Die Technology, Manufacturing Production, General Machinist, Electronics Technology, Automotive Service, Automotive Technology.
Students who graduate from the NIACC Tool and Die program have an excellent chance of getting a good job, too. The program has had a 100% job placement rate the past five years.
Brodersen, who has worked at several different community colleges, said she was very impressed with the Industrial Technology department at NIACC when she arrived last year. “Student who come to NIACC may not realize this but the NIACC facility is outstanding. I was extremely impressed when I came to this campus and I tell people that all the time. We are very proud of our facility and our highlighy qualified instructors here at NIACC.”
Anyone who is interested in learning more about careers in Advanced Manufacturing is encouraged to contact the NIACC Admissions Office 641-422-4245 or toll free at 1-888- GO NIACC, extension 4245.
Fall classes begin Monday August 27.
Old saying…”Those that can, do. Those that can’t teach.” Academics have screwed up the corporate workplace by injecting it with clueless morons that believe they deserve a six figure salary while doing nothing more than generating reams of paperwork. Now they want to apply that same model to the manufacturing industry. You can tell because we now get terms like “Advanced Manufacturing”, but no clear definition of what it means. That’s what its all about…creating more words, not more jobs.
Maybe it’s changed, but for years I believe Niacc’s tool and die program–which is state of the art–had difficulties attracting students because it was a given that you had to leave the area to get work.
I do know of a woman who graduated from the auto mehanics program and landed a great, high-paying mechanics job in Minneapolis.
Skilled work force, for what company in Mason City? Is something new coming to town? I can not believe the # of people that are forced to leave this town because WE HAVE NO JOBS
There are many good-paying tasks available in Innovative Production, such as the areas of Developing Deals / Woodworking, Environment Management and Device and Die, just to name a few.
“Many people do not recognize what Innovative Production is, Brodersen said. People think it’s a unclean manufacturer job status at an set up range all day. That just is not the situation any longer.
happy retirement