Stories for CP Tech College
CPTC students conduct “waste audit”
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Students from the Clover Park Technical College’s Environmental Sciences program conducted a “waste audit” in conjunction with Pierce County Solid Waste and LeMay Enterprises, conducted a “waste audit” on the Lakewood Campus of Clover Park Technical College. See the full story with more photos at CPTC’s In The Spotlight blog.
Long lines, lots of ambition
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – At 4:30 a.m. Monday, Carolyn Nartnik and Jennifer Jessie were at Clover Park Technical College hoping to get into their programs. They were not alone and they were not the first in line.
Carolyn Nartnik (left) and Jennifer Jessie arrived at 4:30 a.m. to register. Open registration began Monday, March 1 starting at 7:00 a.m.
Although they knew the wait would be more than three hours, both say they wanted to arrive early to get in and get the classes they need for their chosen programs. “I’m coming to Clover Park to enroll in the Health Unit Coordinator Program,” said Carolyn Nartnik (left). “I want to get into my program, so I got here really early.”
Both are military spouses and want to get an education before they move again. “I chose to come here because of the Human Services program and the location of the college,” said Jennifer Jessie, “We’re stationed here for almost two years,” Jessie said.
“The demand from individuals who are seeking an opportunity to retrain for their future is unparalleled,” said Lori Banaszak, Vice President for Instruction. “Clover Park is doing everything it can to meet this need and yet it is not enough,” said Banaszak.
Maryann Dick is coming to Clover Park from WSU. She wants to be closer to home and have smaller class sizes.
Last in line is Maryann Dick, who showed up about 7:00 a.m. She expects to wait for hours before signing up for the Culinary Arts program.
“My sister is a student here in the Medical Assistant program and I decided I needed to be closer to home,” said Dick, who recently left Washington State University. “I like smaller class sizes that are more focused,” said Dick.
“Every college in the state is facing this situation and it is critical that a solution be found to fund additional training slots and financial assistance for those who are trying to improve their lives. The road to recovery is found through a highly skilled workforce and with appropriate funding the two-year colleges will provide the pathway to a brighter future,” Banaszak said.
Back of the line Monday, March 1, 7:15 a.m.
Veterans Resource Center at CPTC
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – Resources for veterans are plentiful at Clover Park Technical College with the addition of the Veterans Resource Center last fall. The center is busy serving our military community by providing assistance with online applications for GI Bills, disabilities, VA healthcare, and grant assistance programs. The center is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Building 22, Room 121 (253) 539-5966.
CPTC in the spotlight again
Posted by | CommentsKING 5 TV’s Gary Chittim reported on Clover Park Technical College and its programs to train future “green” workers. See the story as it aired on KING 5 on February 17.
CPTC’s composite program enjoys spotlight
Posted by | CommentsKing 5 recently turned the spotlight on the Clover Park Technical College composite materials class at its South Hill campus. With many components in Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner made from composites, CPTC’s program appears to be a good fit.
Early arrivals hope to get their classes as registration lines lengthy
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Teresa Thompson, Amy Finnerud, Melissa Linear (from left) were first in line.
Lakewood, WA – It’s “Black Friday” on the last Monday in November at Clover Park Technical College. Three students, Teresa Thompson, Amy Finnerud, and Melissa Linear, showed up at 4:30 a.m. to be first in the registration line – a line that formed through the entire length of the administration building. So after what is called, the largest shopping day of the year, people showing up at stores during nontraditional hours, we now have students doing the same. Instead of buying a toy or the latest electronic gizmo, they are hoping to get into class.
“The state’s economic picture has left us with less staff and decreased budgets, but like every other two-year college in the state we are focused on student access and success and will do what it takes to ensure that people have a chance to change their lives. We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as the staff at Clover Park assists those who wait in these long lines,” said Dr. John Walstrum, President. Long lines and lots of people are what students are used to experiencing during the holiday shopping season, the same now holds true for college.
Chinese aviation students learn at Clover Park Technical College
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – Clover Park Technical College has formed a partnership with the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC). Today, a delegation of five officials from the Civil Aviation Flight University of China met with Clover Park Technical College President Dr. John Walstrum to strengthen our partnership. After the meeting the students took a tour of the South Hill campus to meet with the students. In addition to the Aviation Maintenance program they also visited the Professional Pilot program.
For four years, the two institutions have been working together to arrange for a select few of their students to come to the United States. Five students from the university arrived in September to study Aviation Maintenance at the college’s South Hill campus. Another group of five students will start in April, 2010. Read More→
It’s time to say goodbye…
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Registration lines out the door at CPTC
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Lakewood, WA – Education isn’t just taking place in the classroom, students are now learning how to stand in record-long lines.
Sign of the times – record-long lines push students out the door as they wait to register for classes, programs at Clover Park.
“I became unemployed one month ago and I felt like I needed to get my foot in the door right now. I’m signing up to become a pharmacy technician,” said TJ Ellis, a new student. “Clover Park Technical College is the only school that offers the Pharmacy Technician Program and I’ve been waiting for three hours to sign up.”
The registration office opened at 7 a.m. Monday morning, and many people were already waiting. “I have been here since 1982 and have never seen lines like this before,” said Judy MacDougall, Enrollment Services Director. “Some students have been waiting five to six hours to get in.”
CPTC, City of Tacoma awarded $500,000
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – The economies of Washington State and Pierce County just got a boost from the EPA. A partnership that involves recruiting, career training, and tracking is a winning formula for success in any economy.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the City of Tacoma for a job training grant. The primary trainer will be Clover Park Technical College. Free training will include 200 participants, placing 150 graduates in environmental jobs and tracking graduates for a year. The training program will consist of eight, 98-hour or 212-hour cycles on four tracks. The fast track will consist of 98 hours of training. Tracks for traditional remediation, green collar and weatherization training will consist of 212 hours. All cycles will include certifications in HAZWOPER, OSHA 10-hour health and safety, first aid/CPR and forklift training.
“The primary focus of what we do is train people for work and this grant will be a major support of that,” said Dr. John Walstrum, President of Clover Park Technical College. “Green jobs are a growing segment in the workforce and with our Environmental Sciences & Technology Program and our 110-acre wetland training site, Clover Park is the right place for students to learn.”
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Stevens named distinguished CPTC alum
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – Jutta Stevens, the first female partner at Brink & Sadler, a Lakewood CPA firm, is the spring 2009 Distinguished Alumni for Clover Park Technical College. Stevens will be honored at the 2009 spring commencement ceremony tonight at 7 pm at the McGavick Student Center on campus.
A native of Germany, she came to the Lakewood area in 1984 and enrolled at Clover Park Vocational School to complete her GED. With the encouragement and support of her husband, while working at a local Laundromat and having a young daughter at home, she went back to Clover Park to apply to the Secretary Clerk/Typist class. In 1988 she received her Diploma from Clover Park Vocational School.
CPTC auto instructor to speak at I-CAR webinar
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – Greg Richards, Automotive Collision Repair instructor at Clover Park Technical College has been asked to speak at an upcoming I-CAR webinar regarding the use of waterborne coatings as taught here at Clover Park Technical College.
Targeted at autobody shops in the Pacific NW Region (Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Washington), the I-CAR webinar will focus on the use of waterborne coatings – the next generation of automotive paint. Richards is the only college representative with an audience of as many as 1,000 online participants.
