Lots of technical opportunities at BBCC
This is a response to the column “America needs more welders, fewer philosophers” that was published on May 18. There seems to be a national renewed interest in actual “hands-on” career education emphasis. I strongly support this concept and propose much more emphasis on making the general population aware of available education and training possibilities that can actually begin at the high school level.
I would add a number of other professional/technical career paths that have been seriously under-represented in promotional efforts by the education system and industry nationwide. The article focused on welders as a representative group, and then adds electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, manufacturing workers, and computer techs.
My particular interest is in variations in “electrical” careers that have very significant earning potentials in comparison to many that are touted by high school guidance counselors requiring four year (or more) degrees. A two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree can be obtained at many “junior” colleges, without the massive debt loads. Big Bend Community College is a prime example of where this type of training is available for entry-level position preparation.
I believe that a much more concerted effort to get this information to the general public is imperative. Depending on someone accessing the Big Bend website and then wading through the menus to find these potential career paths does not seem to be very effective.
Some specific options for electrical/electronic careers with higher earnings potentials are:
a) Industrial Systems Instrumentation Technician.
b) Industrial Systems Process Control Technician.
c) Telecommunications Radio Frequency (RF) Technician.
d) Telecommunications, non-RF, Multiplex (MX) Technician.
e) Telecommunications and data fiber optics applications.
f) Power Systems Operators – Generation, Transmission, Distribution.
g) Production Facilities equipment installation and maintenance technicians.
h) Data System Facilities installation and maintenance, servers and environmental controls, along with un-interruptible power sources (UPS) systems.
The current instructors at Big Bend, both full-time and part-time, have years of experience in the public and government sectors, covering these types of career possibilities. They have the requisite certifications and can help prepare students for these career directions.
Stephen E. Matern
Moses Lake