School adds new programs

MILAN TWP. — In the coming months, EHOVE Career Center will be offering two new high school programs and one adult program. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, EHOVE will add a building trades program to its list of programs available for adult learners. This program teaches construction drawings, material handling, residential electricity, construction framing, drywall installation, drywall finishing, residential plumbing and residential HVAC, according to a news release from EHOVE. This program is for adults who are looking to enter careers like a residential and light commercial construction laborer, drywaller, roofer, carpenter, entry-level residential electrician or plumber. EHOVE has a similar program for high school students called construction tech. Students could also earn several certifications including forklift, scissor left, aerial lift, telehandler operator and a 10-hour construction industry certification through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The program also includes certifications from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. The center's certifications include Core Curriculum and Construction Site Safety, Carpentry, Drywall and Plumbing 1. Also debuting in the 2024-25 school year are two other programs for high school students: • Manufacturing design and robotics • Welding and fabrication The manufacturing design and robotics program is for students who are planning to enter careers as computer-aided draftsmen, computer numerical control operators and programmers, machine operators, machinists, tool and die and robotic technicians. EHOVE's adult education has similar programs for those looking to be a machining technician and welding technician. Computer numerical control programmers create programs and select materials to make parts in a computer numerical control manufacturing system, EHOVE's assistant director Elizabeth Fehlan said. Computer numerical control operators are those who run the machines making the parts. Students learn how to design and create 3D models and program industrial robots. They do this through skills in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing software, 3D printing, computer numerical control and manual machine tools operations. This program also offers a variety of certifications. "These skills help students step right into the workforce in a good-paying position," EHOVE's superintendent Chris McCully said. "But they can also build on this experience by continuing their education and pursuing an advanced degree in robotics, manufacturing, management, etc." The welding and fabrication program is for students looking to enter the welder, fabricator, ironworker, press brake operator sheet metal worker, pipefitter and similar careers. High schoolers will learn the four major welding techniques and fabricate metal. The skills taught through the program are four types of welding, oxyfuel and plasma arc cutting, computer numerical control press brake, computer numerical control plasma table and metal fabrication. Certification opportunities also exist through this program.