Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) is a skill that is needed in homes, apartment complexes, office buildings, hospitals and retail stores. Virtually every building that is standing uses some type of HVACR system. Because of this, trained and skilled HVACR technicians are needed to maintain, repair and install systems. Becoming an HVACR technician can provide you with a career rather than just a job.
One of the most in-demand jobs is that of a solar installation technician. With the growing popularity of solar, more solar installation technicians are required to install thousands of solar panels. Solar panels can cover acres of land in order to generate clean, reliable, and renewable energy for hundreds of thousands of consumers every year. Luckily, there are many programs to help train the best solar installers in the world. So, what are the most important qualities of a successful solar installation technician? These qualities include being tech savvy, paying attention to detail, having an understanding of electrical systems, great communication skills, and a willingness to solve uncommon issues.
By John Willis, MIAT College of Technology, Houston Campus President
The American Welding Society and many other industry organizations, employers and career colleges such as ours are shining the spotlight on the welding profession throughout the month of April in a major campaign dubbed “National Welding Month.”
Given that the Houston campus of MIAT College of Technology is committed to playing a strategic role in addressing the growing demand for qualified welders and other skilled workers, the timing is perfect to explain how our faculty and staff are accommodating welding students and the employers who will hire them upon completion of their Welding Technology Program requirements.
MIAT introduced 3-month, 7-month and 9-month welding programs at our Houston campus last summer, and I am pleased and honored to report that welding student enrollment at our Houston Campus has been steadily rising. We are accommodating this growth by adding more welding booths and more classes. The program has increased by 250 percent since September 2018. (more…)
One of the fastest growing sectors of employment is in the renewable energy industry. There are thousands of job openings across the country in specific industries ranging from wind turbine technicians to solar installers. Luckily, many of these jobs can be obtained through a technical training school or program as opposed to a traditional four-year university. This can help students get their degrees or certifications faster and save them thousands of dollars in the process. So, before you make the decision to begin a technical program with the intention of getting a job in the renewable energy industry, what are some important questions to consider?
Vocational schools have long been an excellent alternative to more traditional forms of study after high school. This is especially true as the cost of traditional colleges rise while still not preparing their students for a specific trade. In contrast to this, vocational schools always leave their students with a valuable skill, such as welding, which can be utilized throughout their career. Welding has become a skill with an incredible growth in demand. This means that those who complete a program which provides them the tools they need to become a skilled welder are far more likely to receive steady employment. So, what specific industries are making a push to hire more welders, thanks to higher demand for the skill?
By John Willis, MIAT College of Technology Houston Campus President
Career colleges and vocational-technical institutions are perfect choices for adults at any age and stage of life. Pursuing a “skilled trade career” is the wise and practical “first choice” for recent high school graduates who have studied vocations courses, for U.S. military veterans, and for those who are looking to make a career change.
There are many advantages of obtaining education and training in a skilled trade such as aviation maintenance, welding, nursing, firefighting, law enforcement and others that do not require a four-year degree. A blog post by “Work It Daily” based on the philosophy of Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” fame, offered the following top five reasons why an individual should work in a skilled trade-related field:
Please follow this link to access the entire article.
https://www.workitdaily.com/work-trade-reasons/
Other reasons that I hear from our students attending MIAT College of Technology in Houston include “I like working with my hands.” “I want to love what I do.” “I am not a person who likes sitting at a desk. I have to work outside!” “My friend (or relative) is in XYZ field and has been trying to persuade me for ages to get certified.” (more…)
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/
For every mechanical construct that moves, turns, pushes and pulls, there is a specialist behind its intricate and innovative design. The modern world is truly a thriving place for mechanical engineering technicians.
Mechanical engineering technicians apply their core skills to maintaining and operating machines utilized in industrial settings. Within the field, there are many variations on how mechanical engineering technicians use their expertise. Some mechanical engineering technicians maintain equipment such as motors and turbines, while others set up and test parts.
Regardless of expertise, all mechanical engineering technicians share one thing in common: a background of core skills in mathematics, science and English.
The electrical repair industry has a need for specialists that can work with electrical components as electrical repair technicians. These individuals work hands-on in an industrial environment, using tools, computers, and diagnostic equipment to inspect, build and maintain any electronic components of an electrical system. A career as an electrical repair technician is a rewarding experience in the modern world. Here is a detailed breakdown of the main responsibilities held by an electrical repair technician.
