There are some jobs that should not be outsourced. For example, when your car or HVAC unit breaks down, do you really want to talk with someone in a call center? Of course not! The Industrial and Engineering Technologies programs at Durham Technical Community College have been preparing students for these careers since the 1960s.

Today, Industrial and Engineering Technologies programs continue to attract students who want essential skills that will always be in demand. Additionally, students benefit from the college's strong ties with area employers.

Programs in the Industrial and Engineering Technologies department include Architectural Technology, Automotive Systems, Electrical/Electronics, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Systems, and Machining.

Those enrolled in the Automotive Systems Technology program learn it all - from determining car problems to performing routine maintenance service. The program has recently launched its first "hybrid" class in which students take the classroom part of Introduction to Automotive online, with the balance of instruction in a hands-on shop setting. Automotive's Under Car certificate is one of the programs selected for Governor Purdue's JobsNOW short-term job training initiative for the unemployed. Some topics include safety and emissions, engine repair, and suspension.

Another JobsNOW training program is the HVAC certificate, part of the Industrial Systems Technology two-year degree. This curriculum teaches students to service, maintain, repair, and install equipment. Topics include mechanical systems maintenance, electricity, hydraulics/pneumatics, basic refrigeration, and welding. All JobsNOW students brush up on job hunting, interviewing, and resume writing skills as well.

Students in Architectural Technology learn to translate architects' design sketches into plans and drawings. They learn about drafting, computer graphics, construction materials, mechanical and structural systems, building codes, and more. Graduates find employment with architectural and engineering firms, contractors, and municipal governments. The program has "greened" several courses and features a new offering, Introduction to Sustainable Design.

Anyone involved in construction or maintenance will tell you that first-rate licensed electricians are worth their weight in gold. The Electrical/Electronics Technology program teaches students the fundamentals of the electrical trades. Through the classroom and lab, they learn the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, AC and DC motors, motor control circuits, the National Electrical Code and more.

Today's sophisticated production lines require precision parts machined to exacting requirements. The Machining Technology program prepares students to operate everything from manual band saws to state-of-the-art Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery. Students also learn to understand mechanical blueprints, CNC machine tool programming, and production procedures.

Starting in Fall Semester 2010, students can enroll in a program that will prepare them for an emerging field - Biomedical Equipment repair. This program, a new track within the Electronics Engineering Technology degree program, teaches students how to repair medical equipment in hospitals and doctors' offices. This program was created with input from practitioners in the field from Duke University Medical Center, UNC Hospitals, Rex Hospital, and Wake Medical Center. The program also includes a semester of hands-on work. In addition to this new track, the Electronics Engineering Technology program continues to prepare students to repair a variety of consumer-driven electronic equipment, including computers and stereos.

For more information about any of these programs, visit bit.ly/djCbTW or call 536-7200.