NICC Gas Utility Program Generates First Graduating Class

Posted 26 May 2009
At NICC’s graduation ceremony in Dubuque on
May 15, the first four Gas Utility Construction and Service (AAS) graduates walked across the stage to receive their degrees. Good job market news awaits. The program’s lead instructor, Bob Waechter, reports that graduates hired for entry-level gas utility jobs in northeast Iowa can expect to earn an average of $30-$35,000 annually, and jobs are plentiful because many skilled workers are nearing retirement. The curriculum input from area energy companies and their equipment donations also contributes to student and job placement success.

As NICC’s newest two-year industrial technology offering on
the Peosta campus, the Gas Utility Construction and Service
program trains students on the installation, maintenance and
operation of high and low pressure natural gas distribution systems used to supply residential, commercial and industrial facilities. The program’s first graduates say they are ready to work in a good career with great opportunities and the added job security with working for a utility company.

Graduates who form the Class of 2009 are:

·   Mike Chatfield, the son of Judie Reynolds and Jim
    Reynolds of Dubuque
·   Aaron Mathson, son of Wayne and Mandy of
    Prairie du Chien, Wis.
·   Andrew Millman, son of Randy and Dawn Millman
    of Dubuque
·   Collin Welsh, son of Pat and Sandi of Dubuque

Mike Chatfield previously worked for Gronen Restoration,
where he ran heavy equipment, refinished floors, worked in
demolition, and did carpentry and brick work as part of the
restoration efforts in old Dubuque. For Chatfield, the work
experience generated an appreciation for task variety in a new
career. “I really enjoy the variety that the gas utility career offers,” said Chatfield. “You’re checking meters, repairing appliances, and you’re always doing something different in gas utility work.” All the graduates enjoyed the five-credit, eight-week internships during their final NICC semester.

Each graduate rotated for four consecutive weeks between
Black Hills Energy and Infrasource. Interns read meters during the first week, performed operations technician work the second week and worked as service technicians the third week. During the final week, the graduates worked alongside construction crews in the field. “The internship was great,” said graduate Collin Welsh. “I was finally getting to work with live gas, not just the simulations we used earlier in our program.”

Lead instructor Bob Waechter said that the donations from
area companies make the hands-on learning approach of the
program possible. John Deere Dubuque Works, Alliant Energy,
Black Hills Energy and Infrasource provided students with a range of industry-standard equipment needed to do the job. The
companies donated or loaned fitting trucks, fusion units, telemetry equipment, loader backhoes, gauges and piercing tools for NICC students enrolled in the program.

Although many area customers may associate gas utility work with meter reading, gas line leak repair or the local company’s customer service representative, Waechter said there are many
opportunities in the gas utility field for specialization. NICC Gas Utility Construction and Service graduates are trained to perform complex tasks such as annual leak surveys, telemetry, corrosion repair, pipe welding, trenching and gas line installation.

NICC’s gas utility program is the only two-year program of
its kind in the state of Iowa. In 2006-2007, NICC built a 10,000
square foot industrial technology building equipped with a 2,500
square foot gas utilities lab, classroom space, office space,
computers and storage for heavy machinery. An outdoor field lab provides extra space for students to practice trenching, on-site pipe fitting and gas line installation. Gas utility students learn alongside NICC’s construction trades students in the new facility, which gives students time to learn in a cross-disciplinary setting.

Over the course of the program, John Deere has loaned
equipment such as a 410JTC loader backhoe. Black Hills Energy donated polyethylene pipe (PE pipe), meters, regulators and a meter set with telemetry. Black Hills Energy personnel also trained students in advanced regulation and measurement work. Infrasource, a national energy company based in Des Moines, donated one fitting truck that gas utility workers use to transport equipment to job sites, a John Deere 310 backhoe, a Vermeer backhoe/trencher and various other pieces of equipment.

Three of these first grads directly benefited from financial
support through The Alliant Energy Foundation. The Alliant Energy Foundation, an independent, non-profit philanthropic corporation funded by Alliant Energy shareowners, established a new scholarship for NICC Gas Utility Construction and Service students. The foundation awards three $1,000 scholarships annually to students entering or currently enrolled in the program. Through the coordination of the NICC Foundation, the funds will be available to qualifying students each fall.

To learn more about NICC’s Gas Utility Construction and
Service program, call the Peosta campus admissions office at (800) 728-7367 or (563) 556-5110, ext. 401, or visit here

State Auditor Vaudt Reviews 2010 Budget
Posted 20 May 2009
Continuing in his role as the “Taxpayers’ Watchdog” and his duty to report directly to the people of Iowa on the condition of the State’s finances, State Auditor David A. Vaudt has completed his review of the adopted Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

Iowans heard many times during the legislative session about all the difficult choices to be made in order to “cut the budget.” Ironically, the adopted budget responds to the difficult fiscal challenge caused by a 2.7% decline in revenues with a 1% spending increase. Once again, the adopted Fiscal Year 2010 budget continues poor budgeting practices while pushing tough decisions to the next fiscal year.

Rockefeller Students Learn Power of Teamwork

Posted 13 May 2009
Rockefeller Alternative High School Program
students at NICC’s Calmar campus spent the day at Camp Ewalu, in Strawberry Point, to strengthen friendships and build trust in each other on May 1. Every year the seniors anxiously this trip, viewing the camp trip as a reward for their hard work. The Rockefeller students especially enjoy the Camp Ewalu high ropes course, which presents a series of challenges to prove the students’ strength in each other.
       
        At the first station, students had to work together on
problem solving. Each student must climb a 15-foot wall and the group learns that using teamwork will complete their goal. The last student to scale the wall could not have any help from peers at the base of the wall, and could only be assisted from above. Students cheer and encourage their peers to supply extra inspiration to accomplish the task.
       
        The camp’s second station was the towering rock wall.
Although many of the students did not think they could make it to the top, most of them did. At the top of the wall was a horn, and when the students reached the top, they sounded the horn to celebrate their victory.
       
        The zip line station provided the most relief for the student
participants. The students climbed up a pole and got strapped to the 150-foot zip line. The students felt the most fear when they had to step off the platform into nothing but air. As soon as the students got off the zip line, they felt very relieved and relaxed.
       
        The last, and most challenging, station was the leap of faith. Student had to climb up a 25-foot pole, reach the top and carefully climb onto a platform. At this point, most of the students felt that they had enough, but all students pushed themselves one step further. The station demanded that students take a leap of faith. Each student had to leap out into the air and try to grab a trapeze bar about five feet out in front of them. The students agreed that this was the most challenging station of them all.
       
        After this experience, the students grew much stronger and closer together. For many of the students, the day presented many challenges that they didn’t think were possible to overcome. Every student stepped up to their challenge and faced it head on. The ropes course was not only fun for the students, but provided a lifelong learning experience.

Students completing the Rockefeller Alternative High School
Program at NICC’s Calmar campus participated in their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 13. NICC hosted the celebration program in the Wilder Auditorium. A record-breaking number of 23 students graduated from the program this spring.

NICC has partnered with five northeast Iowa community
school districts since January 1995 to provide an alternative high school opportunity for students. The program gives students an opportunity to complete their resident high school graduation requirements in a nontraditional setting. The small one-room program, with one full-time instructor and one part-time classroom associate, promotes a caring and supportive environment. Currently, five school districts are served by the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program: Decorah, North Fayette, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley and Valley. Nearly 150 northeast Iowa students have now graduated with high school diplomas by completing high school courses through the alternative program.

For more information on the Rockefeller Alternative High
School Program, contact the Calmar campus at (563) 562-3263, ext. 342, or visit http://www.nicc.edu

Ropes Course Photo: Decorah students Curtis Rasing and Toni Kurtze are at the top of the wall and South Winneshiek students Isaac Rasmussen and Dustin Baumler assist North Fayette student Marsha Ourada to the top of a 15' structure

NICC Plants Trees with Assistance from Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy

Posted 30 April 2009
Northeast Iowa Community College planted 17 trees on Arbor Day, April 24, with the assistance of environmentally-minded organizations and energy companies. NICC’s annual spring planting efforts received support from the Trees Forever
organization, Black Hills Energy and Alliant Energy.

Black Hills Energy’s Power of Trees program provided
$2,000 in funding and Alliant Energy’s community tree
planting program, Branching Out, supported the college with a $2,000 grant. These programs support tree planting because the efforts help reduce peak electric demand, keep communities healthy and vital, and provide long term environmental benefits. The NICC tree planting volunteer crew planted the newest arrivals along the Burds Rd. north entrance into the Peosta campus.

“We enjoyed working with Trees Forever, Black Hills
Energy and Alliant Energy this year to bring our long term planting project to life,” said Barb O’Hea, NICC’s associate director for foundation. “This opportunity brings us together while making our city more beautiful. We’re making a significant impact in our environment simply by planting trees in the community,” O’Hea said.

Alliant Energy and NICC officials met on Monday, April 20,
to make this year’s donation to the college’s spring planting work. Craig Clefisch, strategic account manager, represented Alliant Energy on campus to formally make the company’s contribution. Over the past several years, NICC has increased its commitment to green initiatives through tree planting, reduced energy consumption and additional conservation measures.

"The Branching Out program is designed to encourage
energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community
stewardship," said Tom Aller-President of Interstate Power and
Light, an Alliant Energy company. "Alliant Energy enjoys partnering with Trees Forever and local communities to fund and implement tree-planting projects."

For more information, please contact Barb O’Hea, NICC’s
associate director for foundation, at (563) 556-5110, ext. 284.

Congressman Braley's Wind Energy Tour

Mihm-Herold New Executive Director of Upper Explorerland

Posted 21 April 2009
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has hired Wendy Mihm-Herold as their new Executive Director.  The past Executive Director, Tom Masey, retired on March 31st. after serving in the position for over 7 years.

Wendy Mihm-Herold will start at her new position with UERPC on April 13th, 2009  Wendy formerly served as the Regional Manager in Northeast Iowa for Iowa Workforce Development/NICC. Her primary responsibilities included leadership, coordination and communications of the Northeast Iowa Regional Workforce Development labor exchange system, veteran’s services, business relations, Promise Jobs program, unemployment benefits and public relations. Wendy also provided labor market information; Labor Shed information, and information specific to occupational demand in the Northeast Iowa Region. Wendy was instrumental in orchestrating the Regional Employer Benefit Survey, Regional Profiles, Labor Sheds and Cluster Analysis throughout Northeast Iowa. Wendy has had experience with development and implementation of numerous training sessions throughout the region and the private-public partnership. Prior to working for the Iowa Workforce Development/NICC she was the Executive Director of Spectrum Industries a Vocational Training facility. Wendy has also worked as a Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counselor and Director of a Day Treatment program. 

As Executive Director of Upper Explorerland she will develop and direct the work program and administrative affairs of the agency; assist in developing and carrying out organizational and policy matters; and maintain liaison with jurisdictions within a five county region as well as national, state and other local agencies and officials.  She will be working with such programs as the Iowa Department of Transportation Regional Planning Affiliate on road and trail planning and funding, Economic Development Administration, USDA-Rural Development, HUD-Section 8 Program, HUD-Community Development Block Grants, Iowa’s Department of Homeland Security as well as Workforce Development.

Wendy holds a Master Degree in Rehabilitation Administration from Drake University in May of 2002 and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership doctoral program at ISU.  Wendy is a lifelong native of Iowa and lives in rural Winneshiek County near Calmar with her husband Alvin, son Mitchell - 11, and Jacob - 6.

The Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission was created in 1972 to promote regional cooperation and meet the planning and economic development needs to local governments in the five Northeast Iowa counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. Upper Explorerland offers local governments a variety of technical assistance on land use planning, zoning, sub-division regulations, and local government financing. Among local governments, UERPC is perhaps best known for its success in securing and administering state and federal funds for local infrastructure improvements and community facilities projects.  Upper Explorerland is governed by a 24 member commission made up of elected officials, business persons and citizens from the five county area.

Groundbreaking for NICC
Industrial Technology Building

Posted 10 April 2009
Northeast Iowa Community College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on April 7 to officially begin construction of a new Industrial Technologies Building at Peosta. The building construction, funded from the $35 million bond issue approved by voters in December 2007, will help NICC to better serve area employment needs and develop the skills of our area’s workforce.

 The new building will expand industrial technology program offerings and provide larger classroom and lab areas to enhance student learning  Programs that will move into the completed facility include Auto Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Electronic Technology, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Welding. A new Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) program will also be housed in the building and start in the Fall of 2010 when the building is expected to open.
(Photo Courtesy of NICC)