PR 2007 Jun U2

Shelton State Offers Summer Technology Exploration for 2nd Year

Tuscaloosa – Shelton State Community College is hosting “Exploring Technology,” a program that offers area high school students an opportunity to explore career options in eight different technology programs.

            The program was first developed in 2006 when technical division associate dean Steve Fair was encouraged to develop the pilot program.  Technical instructors Jason Moore, James Logan, Kenneth Blackwell, Brett Butler and Ronnie Guy created “Exploring Technology” which brings area high school students to the campus for a two week intensive exposure to technical areas.

            “The main focus of this program is to offer all students a “hands-on” experience and to furnish them as much information as possible about educational and career opportunities,” said technical division associate dean Steve Fair.

            This year the program has expanded from 60 students to almost 100 students attending and from four areas of instruction to eight, including: Machine Tool Technology and Computerized Numerical Control, Industrial Electronics and Industrial Electricity, Welding Technology, Carpentry, Health Care, Auto Mechanics, Drafting Technology and Commercial Art.

            Fair said, “The program is designed to assist students in making an informative career-path decision, to create an awareness of career opportunities in the West Alabama area, to bridge the gap between high school and college and to enhance the visibility of technical programs at Shelton State Community College to high school students.”

The college experience will give participants a hands-on introduction to diverse career possibilities, enable them to better identify their career aspirations and help them understand the educational opportunities available to them.

 “Economic development in West Alabama over the last decade has resulted in industry requiring an increased number of manufacturing workers with a higher level of technical skills. This change in workforce conditions has provided Shelton State Community College with an opportunity to find new ways to meet the challenge demanded by local industry,” said Susan Miller, Director of the West Alabama Workforce Development Center.

Participating students choose two areas that interest them from any of the eight programs that are offered.  Students stay with one program for one week and begin a second program in the second week to observe and participate in class and lab activities.  The main focus of the course is to offer all students a hands-on experience and to furnish them with as much information as possible about their educational and career opportunities.

All West Alabama public and private high schools were invited to participate in the program.