NEW PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
In fall 2014, in response to industry demand, Wake Tech began offering a new, two-year associate’s degree in Welding Technology, in addition to the certificate and diploma already offered.
In January 2015, Wake Tech launched a high-tech Heavy Equipment Operator training program, among the first in the country to use simulators for training – backhoes, excavators, and bulldozers – and the only one of its kind in eastern North Carolina. Simulators eliminate risks for students as well as wear and tear on expensive machinery. The program was designed with industry input, and local companies provide hands-on training. Employment in the field is expected to grow by 23% over the next six years.
In May, U.S. Representative David Price announced a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will have an impact on thousands of Wake Tech students over the next five years. The grant will fund critical services for high-need students, to improve completion rates and successful transfers to four-year institutions.
Wake Tech’s mascot, Talon the Eagle, got a makeover – a new logo for the athletics program to better illustrate the energy and spirit of our teams. The athletics department also launched a new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WakeTechAthletics) and communicates via Twitter (www.twitter.com/WakeTechSports) to better connect with fans.
In April, Wake Tech unveiled two unique, hands-on learning environments – collections of boulders representing the state’s geological makeup. The Mountains to the Sea Outdoor Geology Labs on our Main and Northern Wake Campus includes boulders from 11 NC quarry sites, donated by Martin Marietta.
A $100,000 grant from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), part of a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation, is helping veterans translate military service into careers. The funds support vocational education through the Accelerated Career Transformation Services (ACTS) program, which offers fast-track career pathways for vets in cyber-security, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), EMT/Paramedic, apartment maintenance, and other areas.
In March, Wake Tech held a Veterans Services Summit, and nearly 100 veterans and family members attended. The free event included workshops on job search skills, home ownership, and entrepreneurship. Veterans’ services agencies were on hand to provide information about benefits and resources. The ACTS Project organized and funded the summit.