At MIAT College of Technology our students benefit from an experienced, knowledgeable faculty. Many of the faculty are graduates of the school. Other students have gone on advancing their education, working in the industry and then passing that knowledge and experience on to the next generation. One such MIAT alumnus is Dr. Gail Buccholz Rouscher.

Dr. Rouscher has more than 25 years of aviation experience and has been an instructor at Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation since 2008.

Dr. Rouscher began her aviation career as a member of the U.S. Navy serving as an aircraft engine mechanic, stationed in Rota, Spain and at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan. Following her service in the Navy, Dr. Rouscher attended MIAT for the Airframe and Powerplant program, graduating in 1997. To use her words – “A long time ago.” Her memories of MIAT are of great friends, favorite instructors (Mike Bloomfield, Jim Will, Bill Holifield) and great memories. One thing she doesn’t miss is the bell ringing each hour for breaks. She recalled hosting a get together for her classmates at her home following their final classes in 1997. “We had a great time. I have pictures of us making a human pyramid that day.” And, although she has lost contact, she wishes she could reconnect and reminisce about their experiences at MIAT. (more…)

By John Willis, MIAT College of Technology Houston President

The month of February has been designated as Career and Technical Education Month by the Association for Career & Technical Education. As president of MIAT College of Technology Houston campus and as chairperson of the Houston Independent School District CTE Advisory Council, focusing on career and technical education every day of every week of every month of every year is my highest priority.  I am a staunch advocate for CTE and the lifelong benefits it can provide students.  I would like to share the following excerpt of an article that explains the value of Career and Technical Education:

Career and technical education is a term applied to schools, institutions, and educational programs that specialize in the skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation. It was formerly (and is still commonly) called vocational education; however, the term has fallen out of favor with most educators.

Career and technical programs frequently offer both academic and career-oriented courses, and many provide students with the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, job shadowing, on-the-job training, and industry-certification opportunities. Career and technical programs—depending on their size, configuration, location, and mission—provide a wide range of learning experiences spanning many different career tracks, fields, and industries, from skilled trades such as automotive technology, construction, plumbing, or electrical contracting to fields as diverse as agriculture, architecture, culinary arts, fashion design, filmmaking, forestry, engineering, healthcare, personal training, robotics, or veterinary medicine.

 Source: The Glossary of Education Reform for Journalists, Parents and Community Members

To access the complete article, please visit https://www.edglossary.org/career-and-technical-education/

(more…)

By Jennifer Paugh, MIAT College of Technology Canton President

As the New Year approaches and 2018 is coming to a rapid close, now is a perfect time to reflect on our successes of the past, embrace our present situation, and anticipate an exciting future for MIAT College of Technology. Our MIAT faculty and staff are thankful for where we have been, enjoying where we are, and continuing to create new programs and opportunities for our students and graduates.

MIAT College of Technology will celebrate its 50-year anniversary in 2019.  We have more than 10,000 graduates of all ages, and we have equipped workplace-ready men and women for employers in a wide range of industries all over the world – aviation, manufacturing, power generation, oil and gas heating, cooling, refrigeration, and many others. During our 50^th Anniversary year, watch for profiles on our alumni, faculty, staff, and employers who have contributed to our amazing history. We want to highlight those who have helped make MIAT the viable career college it is today.

At a time when many other career colleges are experiencing declines in student population, we are in the fortunate position to be enjoying a trend toward increased enrollment. Enrollment at our Canton campus is up over the same period as last year. (more…)

The outlook for career opportunities as a wind turbine service technician continues to be bright, according to statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Employment of wind turbine service technicians is projected to grow 96 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations. Because wind electricity generation is expected to grow rapidly over the next several decades, additional technicians will be needed to install and maintain new turbines. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, total wind energy capacity is projected to be 113.45 Gigawatts (GW) across 36 states, up from 52.31 GW in 2013. By 2050. total wind energy capacity is expected to grow to 494.25 GW across 48 states.

Texas leads the nation in wind power with more than 21,450 megawatts; since 2014.  Wind power in Texas generated more electricity than both of the state’s nuclear power plants. (Source: https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=TX)

Quick Facts: Wind Turbine Technicians

Source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm

Follow this link to information from the U.S. Department of Energy to see the projected growth of the wind industry through 2050.

https://www.energy.gov/maps/map-projected-growth-wind-industry-now-until-2050

Wind Power Technician Training

Offered over seven months, the Wind Power Technician Program at MIAT College of Technology campuses in Houston and in the Detroit metro area provides hands-on training, practical experience, and industry support. MIAT introduced this program at our Canton campus in 2008 and in Houston in 2010. We have been experiencing steady growth in student enrollment in this program over the past two years, with approximately 10 percent of our students in Houston and in Canton enrolled in the Wind Energy Technician Program this year. Typical class sizes range from 15 to 30 students, depending on the time of year when students enroll. Many or our students who complete our seven-month certificate program choose to continue with us for another eight months to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Energy Technology by studying online and on campus.

David Moriconi, Lead Instructor for the Wind Energy Technician Program in Houston, and other MIAT instructors at both campuses with years of experience working directly in the wind industry lead interactive classes and practical skills training.  Wind energy businesses are engaged in the development of our curriculum, provide guest speakers for our students, donate equipment for instructional purposes, and employ our graduates  —  many of whom are U.S. veterans.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our Wind Power Technician Program are equipped for an entry-level career in the wind energy industry. MIAT alumni find jobs in the Texas panhandle and in the Great Plains States, as well as in other popular wind energy states such as California and Colorado, in service, manufacturing, construction, commissioning and sales. Our graduates can expect to secure a position with any of these and many other potential job titles:

• Wind Service Technician
• Wind Turbine Construction Technician
• Composites Technician
• Control Room Operator
• Generator/Winder
• Wind Turbine Sales Representative

Come Visit Us

Jennifer Paugh, MIAT College of Technology Canton President, and I welcome campus tours for anyone interested in our Wind Power Technician Program. Our staff members are available by phone, via email, or in person to address inquiries from employers, veterans, high school counselors, parents and prospective students about our curriculum, tuition, financial aid, housing assistance, and career services.

To learn more about MIAT’s Wind Power Technician Program, please visit

https://www.miat.edu/programs/energy/wind-power-technician-program/

Thank you now and always for your support of MIAT College of Technology, our students, graduates, faculty, and staff.   On behalf of all members of the MIAT College of Technology board of directors, I wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday celebration. Our campuses will be closed Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23.   Classes will resume as normal on Monday, November 26.