Oelwein Center and Regional Tech Complex enhances local talent in community and industry
Thursday, May 30, 2019
As new technologies influence the work of local business and industry, Northeast Iowa Community College, through its presence in Oelwein, continues to enhance the workforce talent of today and tomorrow.
The Regional Academy of Math and Science (RAMS) / Oelwein Center serves as a resource for students of all ages by offering access to online and face-to-face college credit courses, admissions information, course registration, placement testing, financial aid assistance and academic advising. Success Coaches at the center provide the one-on-one attention students may need to help guide their career path and to select the College program most suited for their goals.
Hope Lamphere, a 2018 Oelwein High School graduate, received an Opportunity Scholarship through Northeast Iowa Community College and found the perfect career match in the College's Associate Degree Nursing program. The RAMS / Oelwein Center’s location near her high school helped bring her healthcare career goals into focus, she said.
“When I was a student at Oelwein High School, the Northeast Iowa Community College RAMS / Oelwein Center was right near the school. The courses and instructors there were so great and helpful, that I decided I wanted to continue my education at the College’s Calmar campus,” Lamphere explained.
In 2017, the Regional Tech Complex (RTC) opened next to the RAMS / Oelwein Center and is expanding career pathway education and training for high school students, as well as local industry. Regional high school students have opportunities to enhance their technical skills, and local employers can provide a variety of training opportunities to develop the talent of current and prospective employees.
East Penn Manufacturing is one Oelwein employer taking advantage of advanced training opportunities and technology at the Regional Tech Complex, according to Bob Bouka, general manager of East Penn Manufacturing Distribution Center in Oelwein, a global leader in lead battery manufacturing.
“The Regional Tech Complex has been instrumental in providing a space, equipment and instruction for East Penn’s Maintenance department. This facility provides further training beyond the various levels of academic and work experience our maintenance mechanics, EMTs and control technicians bring into their positions,” Bouka said. “Our partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College has ensured that all of our maintenance employees have the opportunity to advance the skills needed to provide modifications, upgrades, troubleshooting, programming, diagnosis and repair of manufacturing network equipment throughout the Oelwein facility.”
For the past two years, East Penn’s Oelwein plant has operated with the support of the 260E Iowa Jobs Training Program, coordinated and administered by the College. The 260E program has supported expansion in Oelwein by providing the funding needed for high quality training and employee development. Using the funding, East Penn has completed customized job training for production workers and team leaders, as well as supervisory training for its managers.
“One of the greatest benefits of the Regional Tech Complex is that it provides methods of training that may not be available at the local schools or at industrial job locations. The center offers the ability for groups and individuals to learn skills that may not be accessible through traditional methods, but that prepare them to enter the workforce,” Bouka added.
Five career and technical programs are now offered at the Regional Tech Complex; including Home Construction, Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Welding, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist and Industrial Maintenance. The facility is state-of-the art with trainers, machines, 3D printers, lasers and welders to create industry-grade learning opportunities for both students and industry.
The development of the Regional Tech Complex was made possible by a partnership between the City of Oelwein, Oelwein Chamber and Area Development (OCAD), Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation (NEICF) and Northeast Iowa Community College.