PTCC’s Business Technology program supports today’s office professional

Administrative assistants, office managers and support staff, receptionists and clerks are all positions that continue to have a bright outlook, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. While the need for business professionals has remained steady, the skills employers seek change as quickly as the technology. In order to meet the needs of regional and state businesses, Pine Technical & Community College introduces its new Business Technology (BTEC) certificate and associate of applied science degree, starting spring semester.

 “Business professionals need to have a variety of experience and skills in order to support an office, especially in small organizations that require staff to wear a lot of hats,” said Gavin House, BTEC instructor. “Today’s office professional also needs to be familiar with marketing, accounting software, desktop publishing and management principles, as well as the fundamental communication and organization skills. Our new program covers all of these topics, along with an internship or capstone to give the graduate some real-world experience. ”

 First-year courses emphasize the basic knowledge and skills necessary to prepare students for entry-level office positions. Second-year offerings include advanced courses in business and technology as well as an internship and/or capstone course to prepare students for higher levels of employment. 

 PTCC’s BTEC program provides opportunities to become proficient in computer, business, and communication skills used by administrative and technology support positions in a wide variety of business office and customer service settings.

Coursework covers the fundamentals of business culture, written business communication, business presentations, computer fundamentals, use of current software applications and interpersonal and team development skills.

 To learn more about the program, please go to http://pine.edu/programs/business/business-technology/ or call 320.629.5100.

PTCC students complete program’s first mold and plastic articles

The goal of technical colleges is to provide their students with the hands-on, practical skills they will need to be successful in their careers. At Pine Technical & Community College, students are also bridging the gap between programs to create collaborative projects that prepare them for the job ahead – and blazing some trails as well.

 

 

Recently, PTCC Advanced Manufacturing student Mitchell Frommader has completed the first mold manufactured at the college.  He designed the part, programmed the CNC machine(s) to machine and engrave the mold. He also machined the mold base to accept the new mold along with the ejector retainer plate and ejector pins in the plastic molding machine.
 

 

After the mold was complete, it was ready for PTCC Plastic Technology students to put the piece to use.  Plastic Technology student Paul Linnerooth set up and cycled the molding machine for the first articles. He optimized the all parameters including pressures, speeds, shot size and cycle time. 





Mitch Frommader made mold in advanced manufacturing

Student Shawn Raykowski then set up the mold in the 110 ton Toshiba and programmed the robot and optimized the cycle for this press. Both molding machines are all electric servo-driven state of the art machines that were part of the Advanced Manufacturing Education Alliance (AME) to help the college focus on the high demand for skilled people in advanced manufacturing.

 

Paul Linnerooth set up and processed 1^st articles

Shawn Raykowski set up and processed with the robot

“This was truly a student-led project from start to finish,” said Plastic Technology instructor Bryan Schaupp. “With the mold modifications that Mitch has made, it will be easy and inexpensive for students and anyone who has idea for smaller plastic parts to have cheap alternative to develop their project.” Size of the inserts are approximately .5 x 2.75 x 6 inches.



For more information about the Advanced Manufacturing and the Plastic Technology programs, please call 320.629.5100 or online at www.pine.edu/programs/advanced-manufacturing-technology-programs/.




 

Technology improves access to child care training

 

Technology is helping programs like Child Care Aware (CCA) connect with their constituents in every corner of their 17-county service area, from as far north in Grand Marias to their own neighbors in Pine City. In an effort to improve accessibility to training courses, CCA is introducing mediated telepresence courses.

Mediated telepresence (MT) courses allows participants to access training from sites throughout the district to a trainer located at another site. MT training even allows for remote connections from anywhere via computer or mobile device, so providers can access face-to-face training from home.

Child Care Aware – whose mission is to promote high-quality, affordable and accessible child care of all Minnesota families – provides training courses to those in child care, whether they are licensed family daycare or center-based. Not only are many of these courses required for licensing purposes, but they are also used to earn star ratings under the voluntary Parent Aware rating system.

The goal of CCA courses are to provide high-quality training for providers to get children ready for school.  MT will expand CCA’s ability to offer courses, while increasing the availability of training to established and new providers.

“For some providers, the drive to a training site can be more than two hours, and this is after a long work day. So this gives them options,” said Wendy Walburg, district coordinator.

Mediated telepresence classes will help providers in Pine City, too. When there aren’t enough students to fill an on-site class, the training might be cancelled. Because MT courses are broadcast from an originating site to multiple locations, CCA is able to offer a wide variety of classes without the concern of the number of attendees per site.

 

Go online for more information about CCA's professional development and training. To register for training or to request more information, call 320.629.5164.

Anderson earns Mark Welter World Citizen Award

Pine Technical & Community College student Kevin Anderson is one of 20 students from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities selected for the Mark Welter World Citizen Award. The scholarship award honors MnSCU students who exemplify the thoughts, words and actions demanded by a 21st century world citizen. Anderson is enrolled in the gunsmithing and firearms technology program at PTCC.