Randolph Community College Adds Three Pathways to JobsNOW; Info Sessions April 12 & 15

Randolph Community College has added Welding, Emergency Medical Technician, and Phlebotomy career pathways to its 12 in 6 JobsNOW program. Information sessions are scheduled for next week for anyone interested in any of the seven pathways.

JobsNOW information sessions are scheduled for 10-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m., Monday, April 12, in the Foundation Conference Center on the Asheboro Campus. Sessions at the Archdale Center are set for 10-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m., Thursday, April 15.

The JobsNOW "12 in 6" initiative, which identified 12 training areas that can be completed in 6 months or less, is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) responding to the need to get people back to work. Individual community colleges are offering classes in those fields where jobs are available in their service areas. In addition to the three new areas, RCC is offering classes in Nursing Assistant; Office/Clerical; Hospitality; and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Industrial Maintenance. All may be completed in 6 months or less.

RCC's 396-hour Welding JobsNOW training pathway "will prepare students for all types of welding employment opportunities, from pre-certification testing, using stick, MIG and TIG welding, to learning to measure, shape and cut all types of metals to meet specifications and standards," according to Elizabeth Kremer, 12 in 6 JobsNOW coordinator. "Students will receive lectures, demonstrations, go on field trips, and learn practical applications, and will understand codes and testing standards." Median wages of welders in the U.S. in 2008 were $16.13 an hour, but an experienced welder who is willing to travel can make much more. Average hourly earnings in Randolph County and the surrounding counties range from $13.12 to $16.50 an hour.

The 203-hour Emergency Medical Technician training will prepare students to enter the prehospital workforce at the EMT level. "Students will gain knowledge in areas of anatomy and physiology, medical and trauma emergencies, and EMS operations," said Kremer. "Students will also master all the practical skills approved at the EMT-Basic level, like splinting, oxygen administration, and patient assessment." Successful completion of the course will enable students to take the North Carolina EMT credentialing examination. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for EMTs is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018. For Randolph County and the Piedmont area, the number of jobs is expected to grow from 3.5% to 5.9% through 2014.

"The 240-hour Phlebotomy training pathway will prepare students to draw blood specimens from patients for the purpose of testing and analyzing blood," said Kremer. The phlebotomist also takes care of clerical duties associated with record keeping of the blood tests. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, excellent job opportunities are expected. Most jobs will be in hospitals, but employment should grow rapidly in other settings as well. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, median hourly wages for phlebotomists in 2007 ranged from $12.50 to $13 an hour.

For more information about this program, contact Elizabeth Kremer, 12 in 6 JobsNOW coordinator at RCC, 336-633-0228, epkremer@randolph.edu; or Adrianne Siler, 12 in 6 JobsNOW administrative assistant, 336-633-0335, amsiler@randolph.edu.