From learning computer basics to developing industrial automation skills, technology at Central Community College-Columbus is helping people gain the abilities to succeed today.
Students looking to earn degrees and workers wanting to update their skills have been taking a variety of courses at the college.
The college is the home to the Mechatronics Education Center. Hundreds of students, educators, and business and industry workers have taken courses, and been a part of workshops and developmental training sessions since the center opened in 2005.
Mechatronics, which is the integration of electrical, mechanical and computer systems, is used in high-tech manufacturing. The center has thousands of dollars worth of fully-automated equipment on-site, as well as software programs.
Dan Davidchik, Mechatronics project coordinator at the college, said the center is having and will continue to have an impact on the community because individuals are receiving the training to meet employment needs in the Columbus area.
So far, 24 high schools are MEC participant schools, including Columbus High School, Scotus Central Catholic and Lakeview High School. Just last year, more than 200 students accessed MEC simulation software, and 183 high school students enrolled in industrial tech or Mechatronics courses since 2006.
No matter what age you are, if you are a tech whiz or just learning the ropes, the college has technology courses to fit most needs.
Businesses have also been using the center. Since 2005, 900 business employees participated in training workshops, and 172 workers have been enrolled in industrial tech courses through the center.
Electronics instructor Dan Rumsey said technology has come a long way during the 10 years he has taught at the college. There used to be just one computer in his lab. There are now 40 and nine servers.
As the technology has changed, so have the courses offered. Rumsey said he teaches four major areas: electronics, computer repair, networking and security. Some of the more “interesting” courses he has begun teaching include ethical hacking, which teaches students about security.
Aside from reaching those who are sharpening the skills they already have for the workforce, the college also uses new technology in other areas like drafting and nursing.
The drafting department at the college has a 3D printer that creates plastic molds of designs. Using software, the printer makes prototypes of students’ design projects.
The nursing department has patient simulators which Bev Schreiber, campus coordinator for nursing at the college, said helps students get a clinical experience before actually going on clinicals.
The college has two simulators, an adult- and child-sized. The mannequins have vital signs that students can check and also have lung sounds, Schreiber said.
The adult simulator has interchangeable parts, and both simulators can be changed to fit learning situations for students. Schreiber said the Columbus Community Hospital is more than welcoming for students to do clinicals there, and the simulators prepare them for those situations.
“It’s not to replace clinicals entirely, but it gets them ready to do that, or it gives them opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Schreiber said.
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