2006

, -o-tech to high-tech;r~~ilame change

points out that technology is always changing, and students must be pre– pared for it. "Most of our programs are techni– cal and computer related, and the center's new name is more reflective of that," said Murphy. "Evef) pro– gram we offer is more technical than before, and we work to keep them as updated as possible. We try to pre– pare our students for the changing workforce." Perhaps the best example of that philosophy is the new Design and Merchandising Technology for Fash– ion and Interiors program which debuts in August. A couple of weeks ago. if you were to have walked through the Much or that requires computers for diagno...tic work. Murphy notc.:d. ··we maintain the most up-to-date computer programs:· Murph) said. "It wouldn't do any good 10 teach technology that is outdated." • The Bu.,iness and Computer Technolog) program prepare-. ~tu­ dents to work in modern offices. The) will learn to use the late..,t com– puter software pmgram~. • The Metal Trades program teaches ~tudcnts the basic u~e of all machine., u ...cd in the indu~trial machine ...hop Studenh learn to \\cld. They al-;o will know ho\\ to u-.c milling machines and tool cut– ter.... "Dunng the ftrSt ~ear of the pro– gram. the) spend lime in the centers

classroom that had housed the cloth– ing and sewing program last year. you might be reminded of the many empty textile factory buildings where people earned their living, not 'iO long ago. It was dark and empty. But this story has a happy ending. When school starts, the room will have been renovated into a modern classroom with new equipment and computers. There will still be some sewing machines, but they now oper– ate with computers. Open to I Oth through I 2th graders, when the students complete thi... two-year program. they will be ready to go to work in the field of merchandising. • The Technology Application divismn gives training in technology education. They Jearn about multime– dia applications, animation. hov\ to do \\eb pages and more. The center also offers tutoring classes to students who are behind in one "ubject area or more. ·'When the) tir-.. t come to u.... we test them and see where the) are," <;aid Murphy. "We have related 'kills clas~e:.. that help the ~ludcnts in math, language and read1ng. should they · . The ... c arc ski lis the~ are going to need in the "orkforce:· Philadelphia– Nashoba Count)•

mg.'' ~aid Murph). ''\\e have com– plete!} re\\orked the program and will be adding nev\ computers. plotter and few sewing machines." These aren't the sev.mg machine!i of the past. When a ,tudent com- pletes tlus cour-e, he w1ll be able to operate them m a that requires today's skills. "Yorl des1gn different things on the computer." t JPO) :ud "Then you go and output The other ihe ~ offered by the Career logy Center are much the are lWt>-~ear prog-ams "'hands

Except for the name change, there'-, not mu~h d1fferen::e in the da) -to-da) operat1ons of the Philadclphia-Ne-shob:i Count) Career and Technical Center. A d1v ision of Ea t Central Com– munity College. until earlier this year it operated as i.he \'o- Tech Center for sruden~ of the Philadelphia. !'\e~ho­ ba Centra~ and Chocta\\ Central school d1stncts. preparmg upper classmen for career-. in the work– force. Adult education and training cour-.e!> are also offered. But director Robert Murphy

"The sewing program~i:.::.s...:e:...:.v:::.o.:..;h:....·- _____ ;:::;;&;ii:;..lll...,a;;;.:;..o:,...:;...;;;;;;;;;,~ that teach machine shop. welding and working with sheet metal," Murph) ..aid. "During the .,econd year. the) ""ill ~pecialize in one or two of thoo;e area..,:

Lion~.·

One quc~tion rem,\in,, Ho\\ -.tudenb rrom the three differt'l 'chool relate. for example. on d \\eek that Philadelphia and Nel>hot Cenuru play football. -nere b a rivalry there," s;, \turp "But everybody seems get aJ _ There are ...tudenh in 1 three and v.e M\en't had prob

Career and Techni– cal Center 0 rectol'

Robert Murphy prepanng uppe· classmen for

APPEARED IN:

careers in the WOJ • force. Adult eouca– tion and trarung courses are a'so

LAKE MESSENGER SCOTT COUNTY TIMES UNION APPEAL __ WINSTON COUNTY JOl SPIRIT OF MORTON IMPACT _ _ ___

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offered