Eastman and MECC Work Together on Electro-Mechanical Specialization

As addressed recently in local news, Eastman Chemical Company (ECC) will hire more than 2,000 people from 2006 through 2010.  Job openings in the next few years are the result of the impending retirement of numerous current employees.  In order to obtain these jobs, the preferred path will be to have at least an associate degree.  In addition, 200 to 300 of the job openings will call for craft workers such as machinists, metal fabricators, field mechanics with mechanical and pipefitting skills, and maintenance mechanics who can perform mechanical, electrical, and instrument repairs.

Due to the forecast of jobs and the two-year degree requirement for them, ECC contacted Mountain Empire Community College in 2005 to discuss an interest in putting in place an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Electro-Mechanical Technology.  The two organizations began working together to develop the program, and this fall the idea and work behind it will be fully realized when the college offers Manufacturing with an Electro-Mechanical specialization for the first time. 

"Representatives from ECC's maintenance community and maintenance training organization shared the contents of the current Maintenance Mechanic apprenticeship program, including specific knowledge and performance objectives," says Ted Frazier, Senior Team Manager for Centralized Maintenance and Services (CM&S), Learning Services and CM&S Division Apprentice Coordinator.  "This sharing of program content allowed MECC to reduce program development cost and align with ECC's craft training needs."

"Students enrolled in the new program specialization will start on a fast-track apprenticeship program at Eastman," states Richard Phillips, Dean of Health Science and Industrial Technology at MECC.  "They will move through the training program faster."

"Students who are pursuing their degree at MECC could have the opportunity to go into a Maintenance Trainee assignment at ECC for a 52-week period," adds Frazier.

Phillips says that after the students have completed their associate degree at MECC and their apprenticeship, they will not only be employable by Eastman, but by many other organizations, as well.  "These are jobs needed not only regionally, but also nationally," he states.  "They can go anywhere they want with the skills thy will learn in the program.  For instance, students will be learning exactly the skills they would need if they wanted to work in coal mining."

Individuals interested in the Electro-Mechanical Technology specialization do not have to wait until fall to enroll.  Since the Manufacturing program is already in place, students may begin their coursework as early as this summer.  "It is a difficult program," says Phillips.  "However, the payoff is there for the amount of work you put into it."

MECC has worked closely with both Eastman and Northeast State Technical Community College (NSTCC) in bringing Electro-Mechanical education and training to the service region.  According to Phillips, MECC's program will be somewhat congruent to what NSTCC already has in place.  "Northeast State has been very cooperative and Ted Frazier from Eastman has been extremely helpful.  This program will meet a lot of needs in the region, for students and employers."

Of the new venture at MECC, Phillips says, "I am excited about it.  We are creating a program to help students get jobs.  I'd love to see about 30 or 40 freshmen march in here this fall and start this program."

For more information about Electro-Mechanical Technology at MECC, contact Phillips at (276) 523-7465 or rphillips@me.vccs.edu.

Representatives from MECC and Eastman Chemical Company gathered at a press conference on May 11 to announce the creation of an Electro-Mechanical degree specialization at the college, which will meet the needs of both organizations.

(Left side, front to back) Carolyn Reynolds, MECC interim Vice-President of Academic and Student Services; Richard Phillips, MECC Dean of Health Science and Industrial Technology; and Ted Frazier, Eastman Senior Team Manager for CM&S Learning Services  

(Right side, front to back) Wendell Fowler, MECC Professor of Manufacturing; Terrance Suarez, MECC President; and Parker Smith, Eastman Superintendent of CM&S Division

Representatives from MECC and Eastman Chemical Company listen to Professor of Manufacturing Wendell Fowler speak about the college's technology at a press conference on May 11.  The representatives announced the creation of an Electro-Mechanical degree specialization at the college, which will meet the needs of both organizations.

(Left to right) Wendell Fowler, MECC Professor of Manufacturing; Terrance Suarez, MECC President; Carolyn Reynolds, MECC interim Vice-President of Academic and Student Services; Richard Phillips, MECC Dean of Health Science and Industrial Technology; Parker Smith, Eastman Superintendent of CM&S Division; and Ted Frazier, Eastman Senior Team Manager for CM&S Learning Services