Adult classes starting in March
CELINA — When Tri Star 2.0 was completed in the fall of 2019, the goal was not only to educate high school students but also to offer education and certification options for local adults. The process of teaching adults began later that year but came to a screeching halt with the eruption of COVID-19 and the restrictions that came with stopping the spread of the virus.
Now, those classes are making a comeback.
Tri Star Adult Education Career Development Coordinator Marcia Helentjaris highlighted a number of programs that will be starting up at the career center in March.
“We’re doing a bit of a slow rollout for this round because of what had happened before; we don’t want to get started and then have to stop in the middle again,” Helentjaris said. “We do have to limit the class sizes a bit more this time around because of safety. Our classes are limited to 10 people just so we can keep everyone distanced properly.”
To ensure safety of the classes, participants will have to wear masks and have their temperature checked once they arrive at the building. Additional sanitation efforts will be in place to not only protect the adult workforce but also the students who will come in the next morning and use the same equipment.
“It’s a bunch of extra steps but it’s what we need to do to do it safely, which is the only way to go,” Helentjaris said. “This [pandemic] wasn’t how we planned to start things but we’re doing the best we can with everything going on.”
The slow rollout begins with the start of a 12-hour ServSafe class that runs from
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 9,10 and 15. This course costs $185 including the textbook and exam costs and teaches
students how to properly and safely serve food. Helentjaris said the primary focus of the ServSafe class is aimed
at those who manage restaurants or are seeking manage–––––––––––––––
ment positions in the future. The certification is valid for five years.
Those more focused on industrial education will have two options available with welding and machining/CNC both starting at 5 p.m. on March 22.
“We’re doing welding a little differently than we did last year,” explained Helentjaris. “Last year we had a longer class but this time we decided to break it up into a beginner welding and a more advanced class. The one we’re running first is the beginner class for those who are just getting started. That way, if you find out you don’t like it, you only have 30 hours invested in it but if you like it, we can move you up from there.”
Welding I has a $490 fee and runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from March 22 to April 21.
The machining class will be 48 hours long and will get students accustomed to more than just using the machinery but will also teach them about blueprint reading and basic shop mathematics.
“I think that will be good for people to know,” Helentjaris said. “There’s more to it than just making the machine do the work, people will better learn how to get things set up right the first time.”
Machining has a $650 fee and runs from March 22 to May 12.
The shortest of all the adult classes coming to Tri Star is the introductory forklift class scheduled for March 31. The four-hour class costs $50 and gives participants a basic understanding of forklift operation and safety. It is meant to be a starting point for those who need or want a forklift certification to apply for jobs.
“Their employer will probably give them additional training but this way they at least have a base to work off of,” Helentjaris noted.
A robotics class is in the works but a start date has yet to be announced, pending finalization of teaching certificates for the instructor.
“So many of those companies out there are asking for certifications in robotics,” Helentjaris said. “I could see, in the future, there being classes here for robotic welding because the possibilities with those robots are endless.”
Those who complete the 32-hour, $580 class will receive a FANUC certification and will have the ability to operate many of the robots that are in local manufacturing plants.
Additional personal enrichment classes are also being considered in areas such as photography, drone piloting, crafts, gardening and more. Classes are yet to be scheduled but updates will be available as interest in those classes continues to grow.
All of the classes offered at Tri Star are designed to fit the needs of the local industries and are able to be adapted or changed as needed.
Helentjaris said she is in regular contact with Mercer County Community and Economic Development Director Jared Ebbing as well as Hometown Opportunities to keep pace with local needs and trends.
“Everything is susceptible to change and we’re OK with that,” she added. “Right now, these are the things the area needs so let’s see where we can go with that and where people’s interests are.”
To register for classes or for additional information, visit TriStarCareerCompact.com or look them up on Facebook.