Day and Evening CNC Classes at Oconee Campus

Students who enroll in CNC classes at Tri-County Technical College’s (TCTC) Oconee Campus this spring will train in a spacious classroom and lab space filled with state-of-the-art equipment just like you would see in local manufacturing facilities. Spring semester begins Jan. 7, 2019, at the Oconee Campus and TCTC’s other community campuses in Pendleton, Anderson, Easley and ITC in Sandy Springs. New and returning students can register for spring semester classes beginning Nov. 7. CNC Programming and Operations is one of several technical programs being offered at the Oconee Campus which opened in August. Day and evening CNC classes (both credit and continuing education) will be offered to accommodate individuals’ schedules, including working adults, first-time college students and high school students from the Hamilton Career Center. Although it is best to start in the fall semester, when major courses start, CNC students may begin any term, said Daniel Harbin, CNC program coordinator. TAP credit is available as well as dual enrollment. “Even if you are a first time student, you can enter in the second semester and play catch up,” he said. Spring CNC classes include a manual machining class, CNC mill and CNC lathe and a math class. The CNC program prepares graduates to work as CNC programmers and operators in local industries. In addition to writing CNC programs, students learn CAD design and analysis applications, create precision set ups, select tooling and operate a variety of CNC milling and turning centers. CNC offers an associate degree and three certificate options. Credit for courses completed in the certificate program can be applied toward the associate degree. Other programs offered at the Oconee Campus include the first two semesters of Industrial Electronics Technology, Mechatronics, Technical Operator 1 and 2 (Certificate), Manufacturing Management and Leadership (Degree), Business Administration (first year – core curriculum) and University Studies (Certificate). Corporate and Community Education offerings include South Carolina Manufacturing Certification, CNC Machine Operator Training, Mechatronics and other career certificates such as ISO 9001, Lean Manufacturing and OSHA. In addition, high school students can enroll in dual enrollment courses in technical career pathways as well as university transfer programs. In August college official held a dedication ceremony for the long-awaited Oconee Campus in Westminster. The Oconee Campus is the first building to be constructed on the site of the Oconee County Workforce Development Center, located at 552 Education Way in Westminster. The Oconee Industry and Technology Park will co-locate the Oconee Campus, a new Career Center servicing the Oconee County School District and industry. The result will be a unique center for technical education, work-based learning and economic development. The project is a partnership between the College, the School District of Oconee County and Oconee County. Oconee County industries supported the College by making donations to the Campus when it opened. Duke Energy donated $100,000 to provide equipment funding for multiple industrial labs, including CNC. Sandvik Coromant donated $75,000 to name a room, fund a scholarship for CNC students and purchase CNC tooling equipment at the Oconee Campus. BorgWarner donated $50,000 to name the Hand Tools Laboratory; and Schneider Electric donated $50,000 to name the Motor Controls Laboratory and provide equipment.