Tech Center classes help jobless

Ivan Jones and Bruce Nelson discuss the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration program at Tennessee Technology Center. Nelson has been teaching the program for more than 20 years. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Order this photo]

The Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville is offering some new classes this fall in response to the needs of the community during a weakened economy.

Principles of job acquisition and financial planning are two free classes being offered. Blacksmithing is another new addition.

"We try to respond to what we need in terms of phone calls and e-mails," said Ivan Jones, director.

The Tennessee Technology Center's purpose is to offer a variety of vocational and technical classes at a minimal cost that lead to job placement.

Many of the programs, not including the new free classes (which last one term), last between one and two years and Jones said their job placement rate is about 85 percent.

Helping with the job search

With the downturn of the economy, Jones said the center has added the free classes to help the many displaced workers in the community who may need to refresh their job acquisition skills. He said about 135 new students -- displaced workers -- attend the center with federal stimulus funds.

In addition to the free classes, six new courses have been added this term to accomodate those in this group who know what career they want to pursue. For example, three more certified nursing technician classes are now available.

The free classes are for job seekers who need to polish their skills.

"Our purpose in the (principles of acquisitions) class is to assist the many who have lost their jobs as many of these have never worked anywhere but for example, Sanford," said Amy Martin, coordinator of fiscal services and human resources. "With the problems of so many who have lost jobs, we feel a need to help them in some way. This is our way of giving back."

This class will be held Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. from Sept. 14 to Oct. 5. Participants can expect to learn skills about interviewing, resumes, and basic work ethic. Currently, Jones said the class is half full and its capacity is 25.

Financial planning

The free financial planning class, called "Regions at work," follows the former class and will be held Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. from Oct. 12 to Nov. 2. Representatives at Regions Bank are responsible for the offering of this class.

It will focus on money management, budgeting and savings and general understanding of how to build a relationship with a bank, Jones said.

Blacksmiths needed

The blacksmithing addition is a three-part series that, if completed, will lead to certification. Two local blacksmiths approached Jones about their desire to teach this class, which they said was skill needed in this community.

"We were very excited about that," Jones said. "This class is set up to take (students) through a whole year where they could actually become a certified blacksmith.

"I've been told there are jobs (in this field) at historic restoration communities," Jones said.

The first term begins Sept. 9 and the cost is $350 and includes instruments and supplies. Jones said they are hoping to have at least 10 sign up for this class to defray the costs of putting on the class.

"We need to break even," Jones said.

Ken Preiser and Bruce Gillies are teaching the class.

A blacksmith is a professional who works with metals such as iron, shaping them into useful or decorative shapes.

Locally, blacksmiths might focus on horseshoes, but additionally, modern blacksmiths produce fine art or custom metal pieces for clients. Wrought iron furniture and ornaments may be made at a blacksmith's shop, and blacksmiths also make tools.

The metalworkers at a forge might also make things like hinges, coat hooks, and other iron accents for people who request hand-made versions of these items rather than commercially produced versions.

Programs lead to jobs

Other programs offered at the center include auto body technology; automotive technology; business systems technology; computer operations technology; drafting and CAD technology; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration; industrial electricity, industrial maintenance, machine tool technology, practical nursing, truck driving, welding, computer classes, and other supplemental programs.

Full-time, part-time and evening classes are available.

The Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville was the first of 26 such centers across the state made possible by legislation enacted by the 1963 General Assembly of Tennessee.

According to its mission statement, the "technical educations is the kind of education people need to qualify for more than 80 percent of the available jobs in America. The purpose of all skills enhancing programs is to dignify and to upgrade the social statues of technical jobs and the people who work in these positions."

What you can do

To enroll in one of the new free classes at the Tennessee Technology Center, 1405 Madison St., or to learn more about its other programs, call 685-5013. Visit them online at www.ttcshelbyville.edu.