Introduction to Power Equipment Class Starts March 15 at Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College is revitalizing its Power Equipment Mechanics program by offering new classes and bringing back retired instructor Don Morrison to oversee the program.

"It has always been a dream of mine to make the program more than just engine repair…to take it to the small business level," said Morrison, who started teaching at RCC in 1963 and retired about five years ago. Morrison will be teaching the daytime classes while instructor Milton Nance teaches an evening class. Morrison has been traveling in his motor home since retiring, but says he was getting bored and wanted to go back to work.

"I have a vision of what we can make of the program," said Morrison. He said the program is ideal for students with differing goals, whether it is to work on small engines in their backyards, work for an equipment company like John Deere, or open their own small businesses. Two classes are scheduled to start in the next few weeks and more classes are under development, according to Lonnie Hamm, RCC Small Business Center director.

The first class, "Introduction to Power Equipment," is scheduled for March 15-25. It meets from 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Thursday for two weeks. The course is designed to provide the student with hands-on knowledge of power equipment rebuilding techniques to manufacturer's quality specifications. The student will learn how to completely disassemble, check for trouble, and reassemble to specification.

A second class, "Fundamentals of Small Engine Mechanics: Out of Storage – Into Service," is scheduled for April 12-21. The course will provide an introduction to the steps needed to remove engine-powered units from storage and into service, whether it is a new engine or used power equipment that has been out of service. The engines are then used on power mowers, riding mowers, small tractors, garden tillers, blowers, string trimmers, and hedge trimmers. The class will meet from 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Wednesday, for two weeks.

For more information or to preregister, call the Corporate and Continuing Education division at Randolph Community College at 336-633-0268.