On-Line (Distance) Education

The biggest advancement I see is being able to "share" desktops... (for a demonstration see: http://www.dimdim.com/ ) I can literally take control of a students computer and point them in the right direction when they get lost (and for hands-on type classes... this is a must).  Plus.. the training simulation software has gotten so much better.  What used to take thousands of dollars in equipment now can be simulated by software on the students computer (I initiated this approach in the PLC class.. working with Bill Simpson of 'LogixPro" back in the day).  I believe it you talked with any of my students (who took the PLC class's  on-line) you would find that they loved the idea.  The only problem I had then, was that if they got stuck... I had to try and talk them through it on the phone, or they could e-mail me their program and I could troubleshoot it for them.  Now, I can pull up their screen in real time, on their computer, and see exactly where they are having the problem.  What a great asset! On-line progress quiz's, training videos and slide-shows on-demand (as many times as needed).... A program custom tailored to each student.....

This can be done, and is being done across the country. This new technology will make hands-on training affordable and available to all (especially the "non-traditional" students).   Up front Equipment costs would be minimal, no new buildings or labs need to be built. Now, all we have to do is convince them.  

Note:  I was told recently that TMCC has 10,000 on-line students.... (so much for the nay-sayers that said "It'll never work)...  I had seven classes on-line when I left, and, to my knowledge, none of my classes have been offered on-line since.  I also had an "intro electrical"  class approved for high-school students and later developed into a class for "Nevada Works"... what ever happened to these classes?


Next Up...  Nevada "Approved Training Providers"....

posted by cl @ 2:28 PM 0 comments

Commenting on Mr. Croce’s RGJ article of 2/10/10 on: Taxes and “High Education”

According to Mr. Croce, http://www.rgj.com/article/20100210/OPED04/2100419 
It seems that one must hold a Bachelors Degree or higher to become a “knowledge based” worker and add to the states prosperity.  If one has “low educational attainment” (which I assume is less than a four year degree) then it seems one will be a burden on the system.  He classifies “low education attainment industries” (primarily manufacturing, construction, retail and hospitality) together (which I believe is a mistake) and his data suggests that these fields lost more than 3.7 million jobs in the past 2 years.


First, I must take exception to his “knowledge based” definition.  If we could provide a four year degree for everyone in the county is it really needed?  It surely is not cost effective, not in this economy.  What is needed however is specialized training in “high-skills  / high-wage” fields. A four year degree does not guarantee a high wage (just look at teachers pay), nor does it guarantee full employment (there seem to be a great number of graduates working in the retail, service , and hospitality fields trying to pay off their student loans).  There are many highly skilled workers who make high wages who do not posses a four year degree!


Second, I question the number of jobs lost.  A recent report “America’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs” (see:  www.Skills2Compete.org )  paints a completely different picture. Their findings: .. “the demand for workers to fill jobs in the middle of the labor market—those that require more than high-school, but less than a four-year degree—will likely remain quite robust relative to its supply. BLS projects that nearly half (about 45 percent) of all job openings between 2004 and 2014 will be in middle-skill occupations”    
http://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/assets/reports-/americasforgottenmiddleskilljobs_2007-11.pdf

I agree with their conclusions:
* Substantial demand remains for individuals to fill skilled jobs in the middle of the labor market, with many of these jobs paying quite high wages. This is particularly true for jobs that require an associate’s degree or some particular vocational training and certification.
* While further aid for those enrolling in four-year college programs is clearly critical, we must also provide other pathways to labor market success for those who cannot enroll in or complete such degrees.
 
What can NV do to provide this other pathway for “high-skill” workers?
First...  We must provide a parallel career path for high school students (there are some kids who just don’t want to be a “suit and tie cubicle rat” worker).  Washoe County has been doing this for some time (in the same issue of RGJ is a piece on the fifteen million dollar expansion of RTI the technical high-school).  That’s a good start.  I’d like to see the “shop classes” reinstated in the elementary schools, (but I guess it's too "old fashioned" for students to actually "make" something with their hands once they get out of  kindergarten)   .
Second... we need to provide these students, and those already in the workforce with a place to continue their education and job skills.  Sadly, the Community College System here in Northern NV in its current form is not up to the task.  While there are a few good programs being offered, they are largely being overseen by administrators and academicians who have no knowledge of vocational workforce education and, truth be told, do not want anything to do with “That dirty fingernail bunch”.   We need a separate Technical College System with leadership that is attuned to the needs of vocational students and workforce education, as well as the needs of the industrial community.  While the cost of a separate system would not be cheap, I believe that this venture would have industry support and in the end, the results would be well worth the cost.

posted by cl @ 4:53 PM 0 comments

Some thoughts from previous instructors

Here are some "comments" to the recent article(s) I posted. Names have been left out due to "retribution"... (trust me... if you don't go along, you are blackballed). However... I do still slip under the radar on occasion and work for "The System" (as long as certain people don't get wind of it... ). There are still some really good instructors left down at AIT (and a couple of really bad ones but....). It's a shame how they've been treated and how they've got to keep their head down to keep it from being lop'd off.
It's really strange how most every company I have ever worked for (and moved on) has welcomed me back to work as a contractor.... except TMCC; and seemed generally happy that I had "improved" my situation. Go Figure.... 
Most of these guys would never set foot again on a TMCC campus (and I don't blame them)....  but I'd still like to see that mess straightened out and some "quality" training come out of there.... O'well.......   Note:  My reply is at the bottom.....



I have thought about buying a 1/2 page ad in the RGJ and making some serious stink about TMCC, and EDSN in particular - to let taxpayers and those who might be considering giving grants (like IGT) know about some of the waste and nonsense that goes on. If that happens I was thinking that you and *** might be interested in contributing your thoughts, and perhaps being quoted. **** does - and gets away with - pretty much whatever he wants, and the students suffer while he plays his petty games. Big fish in a small muddy pond".


Reply:
Well...
(an update... I'm still mad as hell and love poking a sharp stick at the tiger...)
Talked with **** the other day (he was **** replacement)...
Not sure if he's still working down there... But he's on their sh** list for "questioning" the qualifications of the IMT instructors...
NTT.... The co I work for, and who we bought those 4 big MC Panels from called me and said someone from TMCC called them and wanted to know just what the heck those panels were... (I believe he's the guy teaching the controls class).
Man.. I'd sure like to get someone's attention on that fiasco down there (you'd think maybe we could get an opinion from say GBC on their competency)...
I'd still like to see a separate technical college system...
I hear good things about the technical high-school... So... Maybe some day (after all....those kids will need some place to go)...
Cl

posted by cl @ 9:36 AM 0 comments

Any Accredited Technical Vocational schools in NV?

Doing a search with either the term “Technical” or “Vocational” in the search string brings up ZERO entry’s in NV (604 for "Technical" 70 returns for "Vocational" nationwide) http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

This is a disgrace! Georgia has 39 "Technical" Colleges, and I seem to recall, Toyota, Honda, KIA all have plants in Georgia ("Georgia is home to 230+ automotive-related manufacturing companies that employ nearly 52,000 workers." ) http://www.georgia.org/GeorgiaIndustries/Pages/Automotive.aspx
Coincidence??

I believe over half the states currently have a separate technical/vocational college system (I'm working on the exact number). As I have seen first-hand how the Community College system here in NV regards "Technical Training"... Its high time even in this economic down-turn we start building such a system here in NV.
Our elected representatives are still talking about (and throwing money at) having a trained technical workforce, and industry is still putting money into programs that, if ran by the academic's are doomed to fail (the one exception seems to be Great Basin College... maybe we can learn from these folks).

The only other option is a "for profit" network like University of Phoenix, ITT Technical, UTI, NTT. Unfortunately most are not accredited (units will not transfer for an advanced degree) and are terribly expensive for the students (cheaper per student when compared to state funded per student). Vouchers, public funding for private education, I really don't want to go there....

posted by cl @ 8:48 PM 1 comments

"Middle-skill jobs" A CA report

Please see:
http://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/assets/reports-/skills2compete_forgottenjobs_ca_2009-10.pdf

This report focus is on CA. but applies to NV as well. I abstracted the "Projected California Demand for 30 Middle-Skill Occupations, 2006-2016" at the end which shows the projected growth of occupations (and annual salary) which WERE being taught at TMCC.

Some 43 percent of all job openings in California between now and 2016 will be in middle-skill jobs.
What is a middle-skill job?
One that requires more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.
The term middle-skill refers to the level of education required by a particular job.
It should not be confused with the actual competence and capacity of workers and occupations—many middle-skill occupations require highly skilled trade and technical
workers with several years of training and onthe-job experience.
Who provides middle-skill training?
Community colleges, apprenticeship programs, nonprofit community-based training organizations, and private career schools.

Nationally, a 2005 National Association of Manufacturers report found that while 35 percent of
manufacturers anticipated a shortage of scientists and engineers, more than twice as many
respondents anticipated a shortage of skilled production workers, precisely the kind of middle-skill jobs that require more than high school but less than a four-year degree.

Net Change 2006 2016......... Number ...% ...Job Openings ....Median Salary

Electricians ............................................7,000 ...10.2%.........24,600 ..............$52,690
Industrial Machinery Mechanics..........3,000... 21.1%.......... 5,400.............. $51,180
Machinists.............................................. 3,500 ...10.8% ......... 8,500 ............. $36,030
Heavy Truck Drivers ..........................21,600 ...14.7% ......... 47,700............ $40,310

posted by cl @ 8:13 PM 0 comments

Blue-Collar Jobs in Demand for 2010

Ready for a career change but dread getting another desk job? Then how about trying your hand at, well, working with your hands?

"There is a blue collar renaissance going on right now," says Joe Lamacchia, author of "Blue Collar and Proud of It: The All-in-One-Resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside of the Cubicle."

"These are necessary jobs, and they're not going to go anywhere. Our nation's infrastructure is crumbling. We want to turn this country green, and we don't have enough workers to do it. There's a lot of opportunity here."

Following is a list of blue collar jobs experts say are most in demand this year, and their median annual salary according to online salary database PayScale.com. Training for many of these positions includes a paid on-the-job apprenticeship, and the work can be physically rigorous. None of these jobs require education beyond a two-year associate's degree.

Plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter
"With all the alternative energy sources that people are coming up with -- like solar heating, geothermal heat, and biofuel -- there's a big need for these workers," says Laurence Shatkin, co-author of "300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these occupations are among the highest paid in the construction industry. Most of these workers receive their training in a technical school or community college, in addition to a four- or five-year apprenticeship, the BLS reports. In most states and municipalities, plumbers need to obtain a license. Median annual salary: $49,773.

Elevator installer/repairer
This is one of the best-paid blue-collar positions, Shatkin says. What's more, he says, it's incredibly recession-proof, as most of the work entails maintenance or repair. According to the BLS, most elevator technicians start their career in a four-year apprenticeship program and belong to a union. In addition, city and state licensing is often required. Median annual salary: $49,036.

Carpenter
Do you have a strong back, a propensity for math, and a love of power tools? Then you might enjoy carpentry. Although the construction industry took a beating during the recession, the demand for environmentally friendly, energy-efficient buildings has helped hasten the field's recovery, the BLS notes. "These are the people who are going to green this country," Lamacchia says. In fact, the BLS expects carpentry opportunities to grow by 13 percent this decade. According to the BLS, a third of carpenters are self-employed. In addition, many acquire the necessary skills by training on the job, enrolling in a vocational program, or working as an apprentice for three or four years. Median annual salary: $38,473.

Electrician
According to the BLS, employment growth in the field will increase 12 percent this decade. Those with the widest range of skills -- such as voice, data, and video wiring -- will be the most marketable, the BLS reports. Factor in the nation's move to green energy sources, says Shatkin, and you have a thriving occupation. As the BLS notes, electricians usually get their training during a four-year apprenticeship. As with plumbers, state and municipal licensing is usually required. Median annual salary: $45,218.

Automobile mechanic
No matter what the economy's doing, this is one job in demand. "When a recession hits, people want to keep their cars running longer instead of buying new," Shatkin says. A vocational training program in automotive technology (often six to 12 months) or a two-year associate degree is usually needed to be competitive in the marketplace, the BLS reports. Median annual salary: $35,889.

Heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration mechanic/installer
Thanks to the government offering consumers tax incentives to upgrade their appliances to more energy-efficient models, the demand for such technicians remains generous, Shatkin says. In fact, the BLS estimates that job opportunities will increase by a whopping 28 percent this decade. To compete in the job market, the BLS says, a six-month to two-year vocational program or an apprenticeship are usually required. Same goes for state and local licenses. Median annual salary: $48,494.

Roofer
If you're strong, comfortable with heights, and don't mind getting dirty, you might like this line of work. Since much of the work revolves around repairing or replacing outdated roofing systems, the occupation is fairly recession proof, the BLS says. Another variable that can keep roofers busy: "There's more concentration now on making green roofs that keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter," Shatkin says. Training is often obtained on the job or through a three-year apprenticeship, the BLS reports. Median annual salary: $38,026.

Still not sure you can leave the cubicle life behind? Then, Lamacchia says, consider this: "You're home in the evening. You're not at the airport or living out of a suitcase. You can go to your daughter's play or your son's little-league game. It's a nice life."

Source: Salary data from PayScale.com, a leading online provider of employee compensation data. The salaries listed are median annual salaries for full-time workers with 8 years of experience and include bonuses, commissions, and profit sharing.

Michelle Goodman is a freelance business journalist and author of "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide" and "My So-Called Freelance Life."

posted by cl @ 7:21 PM 1 comments