Since it first opened its doors in October of 2005, CPCC's IST LAB has continued to play a vital role in enabling companies to adapt and remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy. Demand for highly skilled technical workers far exceeds the supply, and the IST facility has addressed this concern by providing clients with the skills needed to ensure their success.

The IST Lab offers training in electrical and mechanical drives, pneumatics, hydraulics, and PLC's. The curriculum includes:

• Hands-On Training
• Industry Designed Curriculum
• Web-Enabled Learning Modules
• Self-Paced Learning
• Troubleshooting, Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking

The IST lab instructors, Dr. Terence Fagan and Dave Ross, have assisted many employers in upgrading the skills of their employees. Many of these companies have become "repeat clients" -- sending more and more of their employees to the IST facility-- because they understand the value of the unique training approach offered by the lab. Both instructors bring vast industry experience as well as intellectual knowledge to the lab. Chad Ray, Associate Dean of IT and Engineering Technologies at CPCC, has also been instrumental in gaining strong support for the program--both locally and regionally. Additionally, Jorma Harkonen, Division Director of Engineering Technologies, has begun incorporating the IST Lab experience into some of CPCC's Engineering Technologies Associate Degree classes.

Andreas Thurner, with Blum, Inc., described the instructors best when he stated: "One very important point about the IST instructors is their flexibility. They can adjust to our training time and needs on short notice. For a manufacturing company this is extremely important."

(See "Quick Links" for Instructor Bio's)

Three of the labs' "repeat" clients are Blum, Inc., Roberts PolyPro, Inc. and Lutze Inc.

Blum, Inc., located in Stanley, NC utilizes the IST lab to enhance their Apprenticeship 2000 Training Program (see Quick Links for more info. on this exciting program!). Andreas Thurner, Apprenticeship Manager for Blum, stated: "The IST training is definitely a big benefit. The integrated learning approach that the IST lab provides is just perfect for our apprentices. We noticed that our students learned concepts much quicker and seemed to have more fun, although they are learning challenging technical terms and applications."

Another satisfied client, Roberts PolyPro, realized that their employees must be cross-trained for their organization to be successful. Roy Tetreault, Operations Manager said, "It's very difficult to find someone who has the skill set for both electrical and mechanical systems." This is precisely why this training program is critical. He further stated: "The training was challenging at times... but it boosted the employees' morale."

Lutze, Inc. took an atypical approach to training its employees -- by training in areas such as Sales, Marketing, and Engineering. This strategy has definitely paid off, according to Juergen Seybold, President of Lutze, Inc. in Charlotte. "Today we have a much more educated workforce with a better understanding of our business and our products," says Juergen. "Our customers are the ones who benefit the most..."

(Click on the Lutze, Inc. article under Quick Links for more details).

A few of the companies that have benefited from the exceptional staff and the unique learning environment include:

We understand that companies have unique challenges. We will work with each client to assess your specific needs and recommend appropriate training solutions.

Contact us if you are interested in scheduling a tour of the lab. Also, discover how the Integrated Systems Technology lab can assist you in cross training your current employees and serve as a catalyst for enticing high-tech workers to your organization.