Creating reality-based technology training through a partnership of contractors and a community college.

Creating reality-based technology training through a partnership of contractors and a community college. When construction contractors needed personnel with technicalskills in estimating, project planning project planning - project management , material development and safetypractices to fill mid-management positions, they teamed with NortheastMississippi Community College Northeast Mississippi Community College is a community college located in Booneville, Mississippi in the United States.The college was founded in 1948 as Northeast Mississippi Junior College, (NEMCC NEMCC National Emergency Management Coordination Centre ). The team called in the Researchand Curriculum Unit from Mississippi State University Mississippi State University,at Mississippi State, near Starkville; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1878 as an agricultural and mechanical college, opened 1880. From 1932 to 1958 it was known as Mississippi State College. , and a new realityprogram in construction engineering technology was born. The areaAppalachian Regional Commission The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. (ARC) along with the State Department ofEducation provided funding assistance. Set in the Southern Appalachian foothills in Booneville,Mississippi Booneville is a city in Prentiss County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 8,625 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Prentiss CountyGR6. , Northeast Mississippi Community College was the likelyplace for successful contractors to promote and sponsor the developmentof one of their "own" programs. The development of a trulyreality construction engineering technology program to meet thecontractors' modern employment needs began in January 2000, thefirst program of its kind in the state. A true reality program meant theprogram's curriculum had to be driven by the contractors anddemanded high-performance results for each student candidate. Reality tothe contractors was a concept that education should be no different fromthe world it serves. For students to be successful with construction engineeringsubjects, a high level of core academic skills was set in place. Theadvisory group of contractors believed that high levels of verbal andwritten communication, together with improved math, computer andinterpersonal skills "Interpersonal skills" refers to mental and communicative algorithms applied during social communications and interactions in order to reach certain effects or results. The term "interpersonal skills" is used often in business contexts to refer to the measure of a person's ability , would ensure achievement and occupational success.Another reality concept was the requirement for students to participatein paid summer internship internship/in��tern��ship/ (in��tern-ship) the position or term of service of an intern in a hospital. internship,n the course work or practicum conducted in a professional dental clinic. courses. Two summer internships were addedafter the students complete the freshman year. An Annual Tech Fair created in 2001 featuring "Women and Menin Construction" complemented the Construction EngineeringTechnology Program with a surprising turnout of companies and studentsparticipating. The need for students to talk to professionals isimportant if education is to have motivated students to teach. The ideaof the Tech Fair came from this need. Companies sent bulldozers, safetycomponents, engines, automobiles and displays. Local secondary schoolssent students by the droves. In 2004, 1,800 students participated in theopen-air event. Industry understands how important it is to get studentsmotivated for careers. Student conversations with professionalsestablish possibilities and career paths. What has changed in recent years and since the mid 1960s whencareer-technical programs as we know them started? Because of risingoccupational standards, more career and technical education programs aremathematics/science, communications and computer based. Requiredlearning levels for corporate world jobs in construction technologyfields have risen above traditional academic major requirements. TheConstruction Engineering Technology program is a component of educationthat is continually facilitated by daily market demands. One of Mississippi's and the nation's greatest resourcesis the construction industry. Because of its resourceful re��source��ful?adj.Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.re��sourceful��ly adv. andforward-thinking people, Mississippi has some of the best and some ofthe largest construction companies in the Southeast. These companiesprovide a low-cost construction environment that applies to a low taxbase for new infrastructure and a great resource for new industries tocome to Mississippi. Construction is not just the process of movingdirt, laying pipe or placing concrete. Many Americans hold the idea that success means wearing a suit andworking in an office. While the construction industry offers many officetype positions, it also depends on many people working in the field.There are opportunities with construction companies that work in a givenarea, all over the U.S. or around the world. The opportunities are manyfor those who have a good education, which includes good math, science,communication and technical training. Northeast Mississippi Community College, along with constructionprofessionals and business owners, has responded to the need for a solidreality education program by implementing Construction EngineeringTechnology. Graduates have meaningful construction careers in a varietyof positions. Men and women who are in the construction profession cantell you what they have done, and they can show you the reality of theworkplace. What They Are Saying About It "Construction Engineering Technology is a wonderful programthat has very high standards and incorporates state-of-the-arttechnology," says Melba Morgan, academic head, Division ofMathematics and Sciences, NEMCC. "The curriculum, which includesstudies in mathematics and physics, prepares students extremely well,either for the workplace or for further studies in engineering orengineering technology. Without a doubt, any student who completes thisprogram will be very successful in his field." According to according toprep.1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.2. In keeping with: according to instructions.3. Morgan Whitfield, president of Prairie prairieLevel or rolling grassland, especially that found in central North America. Decreasing amounts of rainfall, from 40 in. (100 cm) at the forested eastern edge to less than 12 in. ConstructionCompany and a member of the Program Advisory Committee, "The CET CETabbr.Central European TimeCETCentral European TimeCETn abbr (= Central European Time) → hora de Europa centralCETabbr program at Northeast provides employers with competent graduates andemployees who have an education that can be placed in the workforce withminimal additional training, which brings immediate returns for theemployers. The program directors and other members of the training havelistened to the input of the advisory committee in raising the standardsof the program to meet the construction industry needs and haveinstilled in the students a strong work ethic work ethicn.A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence.work ethicNouna belief in the moral value of work ." Positive comments also come from graduates such as Josh Harris Josh Harris could refer to the following people: Joshua Harris, an American pastor and writer Josh Harris (artist), an American dance musician Josh Harris (athlete), an American football player for the New York Giants , whois now employed with project controls at Hill Brothers Construction andEngineering Co., Inc. "I can honestly say that I did not take asingle course that has not in some way been useful," notes Harris."From Construction Layout to Public Speaking, I have foundsomething practical from every aspect of my technology training. Thereis no way to expound ex��pound?v. ex��pound��ed, ex��pound��ing, ex��poundsv.tr.1. To give a detailed statement of; set forth: expounded the intricacies of the new tax law.2. on one certain thing about this program; it is agreat tool for a construction career." Another member of the Program Advisory Committee, David V. Dow ofTrench trench:see ocean. Safety, Inc., adds, "The internship requirement of theConstruction Engineering Technology program at Northeast MississippiCommunity College brings the reality of workplace problems to thestudents. Students are able to set the value of required classes throughreal-life experiences, therefore getting more bang for their educationaldollar. Consequently, employers get a more knowledgeable employee." Student John W. Hendrix John Walker Hendrix is a retired United States Army four star general, and served as Commander, United States Army Forces Command from 1999 to 2001. Military careerHendrix was born on September 22, 1942, in Bulloch County, Georgia,[1] , who says he would recommend the program toanyone interested in any part of the construction industry, explains,"Not every situation that can occur in the construction industrycan be taught in a classroom, but with the technical skills taught inthe CET program, along with the application skills mid increasedconfidence obtained through the academic classes required for theprogram, any problem can be faced and solved. The time that I have spentin the program has improved my communication skills, mathematic ability,problem-solving abilities, and has prepared me for fire workforce." Contractors provided one of their own to instruct in��struct?v. in��struct��ed, in��struct��ing, in��structsv.tr.1. To provide with knowledge, especially in a methodical way. See Synonyms at teach.2. To give orders to; direct.v. and operate thenew Construction Engineering Technology program. The college employed aformer vice-president of a contracting firm with 17 years ofconstruction experience. Ray Galliard gal��liard?n.1. A spirited dance popular in France in the 16th and 17th centuries.2. The triple-time music for this dance.adj. ArchaicSpirited; lively; gay. , in a newfound new��found?adj.Recently discovered: a newfound pastime.Adj. 1. newfound - newly discovered; "his newfound aggressiveness"; "Hudson pointed his ship down the coast of the newfound sea" role as a collegeinstructor and program developer, immediately initiated a constructionengineering environment while equipping e��quip?tr.v. e��quipped, e��quip��ping, e��quips1. a. To supply with necessities such as tools or provisions.b. a new laboratory andimplementing the curriculum. He created an atmosphere of constructionproject simulation of being on the job while engaged in a laboratorysetting. Planned field trip activities to construction sites directlysupplemented the laboratory-based learning projects. Gaillard workedwith the advising contractors to establish a baseline of academic skillsfor entering students. Jimmy H. Crane, an administrator of career and technical educationprograms and experienced in curriculum and program development, servedas coordinator and liaison for the contractor and college team to bring"reality" to the steps involved with contributing parties andagencies. Crane's objective, along with that of the instructor, wasto make sure each curriculum course and each piece of laboratoryequipment related and connected with students' performances and jobpractices on the construction site. What they achieved, according to their student John Hendrix, is"the perfect balance of technical training and academiccourses." Jimmy H. Crane is division head of Engineering Technology andOccupational Education and associate dean of Instruction, and RayGalliard Is Instructor of Construction Engineering Technology atNortheast Mississippi Community College.