"We believe we've identified a need for qualified personnel in this area of study and thanks to the generosity of our donors have been able to work proactively to meet that need. The advantage for graduates is being able to promote themselves as someone with training and experience in this field, something that makes them extremely attractive to local employers." said Dr. John Gratton, president at NMSU Carlsbad.
With the demand for highly trained industrial maintenance mechanics and electricians in Eddy County outpacing supply New Mexico State University's Carlsbad campus is adding a new program to meet this need.
Created through a $700,000 joint donation from Intrepid Potash Inc. and The Mosaic Company the college expects to launch its first class in Fall 2013.
The program offers two paths for students, associates and certificates programs with specializations in electrical and mechanical. The proposed 64 or 65 credit associate's degrees and 58 credit certificate programs can both be completed in about two years.
The curriculum is expected to include both classroom study at the Carlsbad college location combined with hands-on training on various kinds of machinery. Internship opportunities will also be available to selected students at both the Mosaic and Intrepid facilities located in Eddy County. The classroom portion of the program will include training in current technology, electrical, hydraulic, engineering, mechanical drawing, mathematics, blueprint reading, and computer programming.
"We believe we've identified a need for qualified personnel in this area of study and thanks to the generosity of our donors have been able to work proactively to meet that need. The advantage for graduates is being able to promote themselves as someone with training and experience in this field, something that makes them extremely attractive to local employers." said Dr. John Gratton, president at NMSU Carlsbad. Gratton also added that this program is an example of public and private sector cooperation that benefits the community as a whole.
"Mosaic is proud to partner with NMSU Carlsbad in bringing the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic and electrician training program to Southeast New Mexico," said Bill Boyer, general manager at Mosaic's Carlsbad potash facility. "Potash in the Carlsbad area relies on employing people with the level of training and skills that this program will provide. Our contribution to NMSU Carlsbad is an investment in the sustainability of Mosaic's Carlsbad operations and the community it supports."
"We are fortunate to have the proven resource of NMSU Carlsbad to invest in and with a great partner in Mosaic. This knowledge and skills development program will be a foundational block for Intrepid today and in the future as we execute on over a century of minable reserves," said Robert Baldridge, general manager of Intrepid Potash's Carlsbad sites "We are proud to be a part of creating solutions and opportunities in the communities where we live."
Students will be able to seek employment right after graduation or transfer to four year schools such as NMSU's Las Cruces campus to pursue a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
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Company Name: NMSU Carlsbad
Contact Person: Khushroo Ghadiali
Email: Send Email
Phone: 575.234.9414
Address:1500 University Drive
City: Carlsbad
State: New Mexico
Country: United States
Website: http://cavern2.nmsu.edu/~nmsuc/nmsucmain/?page_id=932
Source: www.abnewswire.com
