Riverland Community College, Adult Basic Education (ABE) in Austin and Albert Lea, and Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) will offer FastTRAC programming again this spring. The 2011 FastTRAC offers eligible student an opportunity to complete five college credits toward a Production Technician I certificate with no cost for tuition or textbooks.

The FastTRAC initiative in Minnesota is creating new ways for adults to learn by combining development of basic academic and English language skills with career and technical education.  Riverland's regional collaboration prepares students for college-level work in the college's highly demanded Production Technician program.  The classes included in the FastTRAC can also be applied to a number of other career and technical programs offered at Riverland.

Students in the FastTRAC program will begin their instruction in January, with integrated ABE and Riverland instruction for the following courses:  Safety and OSHA, Technical Math, and Introduction to Computers.  Successful students will be awarded college credits.  Spring semester coursework also includes the FastTRAC Transitions to College class. Throughout the program, WDI career counselors will be involved to assist the students by providing support and access to other available resources.

The Production Technician I certificate offers students a short, specialized, foundation of manufacturing education and skills that allows them opportunity for a competitive and successful in entry level manufacturing production jobs.  This training provides the education and skills to build upon a manufacturing career path leading to higher-level careers like Industrial Maintenance and Mechanics, Machine Tool, Manufacturing Technical Specialist, and Engineering Technician.

Classes begin January 4, 2011. For more information or to enroll, contact the Workforce Development Center, Inc at 507-433-0555.