Los Medanos College (LMC) and Industry Partners Break Ground for Electrical/Electronic/Instrumentation Technology (EETEC) Program Facilities

June 9, 2008

Media Contact: Barbara Cella, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College
(925) 439-2181, x 3242 bcella@losmedanos.edu

PITTSBURG, CA: Los Medanos College (LMC) and supporting industry partners (USS-POSCO, Shell, Dow Chemical Company, Mirant Corporation, GWF Power, and Tesoro) broke ground on Friday, June 6^th for the new EETEC lab and classroom building – expected to begin housing classes in Fall 2008 semester.

A brief program was presented to a crowd of nearly eighty industry, city officials and education leaders. LeBaron Woodyard, Dean of Academic Affairs for State Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges gave the keynote address. Other presenters included Los Medanos College President Peter Garcia, Dean of Occupational Education Kiran Kamath, USS-POSCO General Manager of Employee Relations George Kunst, and Shell Oil Manager of Human Relations Rulon McKay.

“About two years ago, regional industry representatives came to the college saying they needed to fill between 100 and 150 skilled technology positions, particularly in electrical, electronic and instrumentation maintenance work”, said Kiran Kamath. “The goal for the college is to give about 60 students a year the opportunity to get local, well-paying jobs with starting salaries between $50,000 and $70,000 per year.”

The 2160 square foot lab and classroom is expected to be completed in time for classes in August. Industry partners have contributed more than $1M in financial support and equipment for the building, and have also been involved in curriculum development. The State Chancellor’s Office has given the program a grant of almost $600,000 to enable the program to build capacity and respond to the critical shortage of skilled workers.

“Shell Martinez Refinery leadership believes that the best place to find and develop talent is in our own community”, states Rulon McKay. “We have found that those who move here from other places are less likely to stay and work for many years. Our partnership with local community colleges and other industry leaders will help to build and sustain training opportunities in our area. This work is important for the ongoing success of our business.”

The EETEC program will be available during the daytime in an intensive, full-time, two-year (four semester) schedule of courses. A part-time evening program is currently offered and will continue to be available. Students may select from two areas of specialization: Electrical/Electronic Technician or Instrumentation Technician. The electrical specialization is designed to train electricians to maintain complex electrical automation systems used in the manufacturing and power generation industries. The instrumentation specialization is designed to train instrument technicians to maintain the process measurement and control systems used in the refineries, chemical plants, biotech plants, pharmaceuticals, water and waste treatment plants.

For more information about the EETEC program, visit www.losmedanos.edu/EETEC or call (925) 439-2181 x3105.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.