The ChallengeManufacturing activity is rapidly expanding throughout the greater Charleston area. Though this is a wonderful opportunity for our area, its advent also poses a growing problem for local manufacturers. A critical shortage of qualified, skilled maintenance and electrical technicians is hampering the ability to fill skill gaps. These gaps are certain to grow as an aging workforce heads towards retirement and competition for skilled tradesmen reaches a tipping point. Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow nine percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for most occupations. Additionally, manufacturing demands and schedules leave little time for training and employers cannot afford to waste time and money on training that isn’t needed. To confront this problem, Trident Technical College is now offering flexible enrollment for its Industrial Maintenance Mechanic program to enable local manufacturers to grow their own technicians.

The OpportunityThe Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development at Trident Technical College is launching a Sector Partnership Training Program for area businesses that are seeking training for industrial maintenance mechanics. Using the NAM-endorsed, nationally certified training curriculum developed by NCCER, this 600 hour program is designed to provide employers the opportunity to enroll one to five employees. This concept provides employers the opportunity to partner with other businesses and form a class that is funded by a consortium of employers.

Greater flexibility in the number of employees that can be registered and a sharing of the overall costs makes this a win/win for supporting workforce development and effectiveness.

Program CandidatesThe TTC Sector Partnership Training Program’s ideal program candidates are employees who are already experienced in some areas of industrial maintenance. Through participation in this program, they gain experience in progressing their skills to meet current standards for their areas of expertise and also learn new skills on the latest equipment for their areas of interest. Industrial maintenance mechanics typically perform functions such as: analyze test results, address machine error messages or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems; clean, lubricate or adjust parts, equipment or machinery; cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts or assemble new equipment; demonstrate

Industrial MaintenanceMechanic Training

Contact the Trident Technical College Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development’s Business Solutions Team for more information on participating in this training opportunity, 843.574.6492.

ENHANCEEQUIP

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Continuing Education

www.tridenttech.edu/ce843.574.6152

equipment functions and features to machine operators; disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs; enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery; examine parts for defects such as breakage or excessive wear; observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions using voltmeters or other testing devices; operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs; reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing or repairs; record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials as necessary; record repairs and maintenance performed; repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment; repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment; utilize blueprints or manufacturers’ manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.

Partnership BenefitsNCCER Journey Level assessment testing is the first logical step in mapping the knowledge of the existing workforce or potential new hires. The pre-assessment test indicates the subject areas in which the individual employee requires training, providing additional flexibility in the training to be delivered. This testing is included as part of the training program. Training is conducted using new equipment designed for today’s rigorous specifications to successfully complete industrial maintenance training.

This training also qualifies for the development of a Registered Apprenticeship program. South Carolina State Technical College System’s division, Apprenticeship Carolina™, works with TTC and our continuing education customers to register your apprentices. Registered apprenticeships in South Carolina may qualify employers to receive a tax credit of $1,000 per year for up to four years to offset a portion of the training costs. Class size is limited to eight candidates to ensure a quality learning experience both in the classroom and in the hands-on training lab.

It is the policy of Trident Technical College that no discrimination on the grounds of race, color, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, pregnancy, or national or ethnic origin will exist in any area of the college.

Produced and printed by Trident Technical College. 9/15

Training Curriculum includesthe following modules:

Training ScheduleTTC’s Continuing Education program is designed to meet one day per week and due to its structure, is flexible enough to allow students to attend on an as needed basis for eight hours each day. The overall curriculum totals 600 hours or approximately 18 months. Once completed, the successful candidates are registered as Journey Level Industrial Maintenance

Mechanics. We recognize that many of the companies in our area have their employees working on rotating shifts, some that are eight hours and others that are 12 hour shifts. By knowing in advance the training schedule for the next 18 months, employers can plan work schedules, taking into consideration training dates. If sufficient interest exists, alternative schedules will be considered.

Advanced blueprint readingAdvanced trade mathBasic layoutCompressors and pneumatic systemsConventional alignmentCopper and plastic piping practicesCraft-related mathematicsDistillation towers and vesselsFasteners and anchorsGaskets and packingHeaters, furnaces, heat exchangers, cooling towers

and fin fansHydrostatic and pneumatic testingIdentifying, installing and maintaining valvesInstalling bearingsInstalling belt and chain drivesInstalling couplingsInstalling mechanical sealsIntroduction to bearings

Introduction to ferrous metal piping practicesIntroduction to piping componentsIntroduction to supervisory skillsIntroduction to test instrumentsIntroduction to valvesLaser alignmentLubricationMaterial handling and hand riggingMobile and support equipmentOxyfuel cuttingPrecision measuring toolsPreventive and predictive maintenancePumps and driversReverse alignmentSetting baseplates and prealignmentTroubleshooting and repairing conveyorsTroubleshooting and repairing gearboxesTroubleshooting and repairing pumps