POPLARVILLE, Miss – Pearl River Community College’s Career and Technical students benefit from various professional partnerships the college has established in workforce communities. A recent partnership with the United Parcel Service, coupled with and the helping hands of dedicated PRCC instructors, has allowed students pursuing their Instrumentation degree the opportunity to leave PRCC with a job offer in hand.
PRCC/UPS PARTNERSHIP
UPS has partnered with PRCC to recruit students for their technical operations positions. Pearl River Instrumentation Instructor Dale Miller already has more than 15 students committed to employment with UPS upon graduation. This placement is pending a successful completion of the required written exam and practical assessment.
These students can expect to start out making about $32 an hour and that number could grow to $40 within two years. They also have the opportunity to pick where in the country they would like to be located for their position.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for an international company to come to us (PRCC) and recruit so many students,” said Miller. “I’m excited not only for the students we have now but those that follow them as this partnership grows.”
The Instrumentation Technology program is a two-year program that provides students with technical knowledge and skills necessary for gaining employment as an instrumentation technician in maintenance, diagnostics, engineering or production in automated systems. Sometimes referred to as control technicians or maintenance technicians, they keep automated systems running. Examples of automation may include three-phase motor control, pneumatic control, computer, and programmable logic controllers. The Instrumentation Technology curriculum focuses on electricity, electronics, fluid power, motors and controllers, programmable controls, robotics, interfacing technology, instrumentation and automated machine processes.
“No matter where they end up, these skills will help them,” said Miller. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication these students have shown.”
LENDING A HAND
One of the skills the Instrumentation Technology program does not cover in-depth is welding. This knowledge is necessary for students interested in this UPS job opportunity to pass the practical assessment. A PRCC employee embracing the Wildcat Way was willing to step up and help.
Most of PRCC’s Career and Technical courses are offered on a block schedule meaning Friday’s are off days for instruction. However, after being made aware of the gap in skills training this group of students needed, PRCC Welding Instructor Leland Kennedy offered to volunteer his time on Friday’s to help them prepare.
“It’s great to see our students getting this type of opportunity,” said Kennedy. “If they are willing to put in the work I’m willing to be here to help them learn. I expect them to give 100 percent and so far they have stepped up to the plate.”
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
–
Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
