Meridian Technology Center has recently announced new personal and professional development short courses with in-person and online enrollment options.

“We know that last year was filled with unexpected changes for people in their personal and professional life. We kept that in mind as we were considering our short course offerings for the winter and spring,” said Titus Lester, Meridian’s Coordinator of Adult Training and Development. “We have a mix of in-person, online and blended learning options to allow people to train or retrain for a new career or to simply have fun with their friends and family.”

Some of the new content for 2021 includes Computer Skills for the Workplace, Entering the Digital World, a Certified Production Technician program, and a series for individuals and business owners interested in starting a podcast.

For individuals interested in pursuing a career in machining, the Gene Haas Foundation has provided a $10,000 scholarship grant that will cover tuition for students training to learn CNC skills in Meridian’s evening Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining Operations and Programming short courses.

CNC machinists are skilled workers who can make all types of parts using metal, plastic and a wide variety of other materials using both manual and computer-aided machines. Students in these courses will learn how to set up and operate all of the basic CNC machine tools and the usage of all of the common precision measuring instruments. The properties of different metals to be machined and how to read engineering drawings will also be covered. Students in the CNC Programming course will also learn how to use CNC lathes and CNC milling machines.

Meridian is committed to maintaining a safe environment for customers, students and staff. Social distancing and campus safety protocols will remain in effect on Meridian’s campus.

In addition to offering full-time career training for high school and adult students, customized business solutions for local industries, and assistance for budding entrepreneurs, Meridian also serves as a place where district residents can expand their skills and explore their interests.

Each semester Meridian offers hundreds of courses. Many of the professional development short courses have classes during both the day and evening hours, and often meet one or two times during the week. If time is a factor, online training is also available.

Meridian has a new set of classes each spring, summer and fall. For a complete listing of this semester’s courses, visit www.meridiantech.edu/catalog. If there is a short course that you would like to see offered at Meridian or if you need information regarding the Gene Haas machining scholarship grant, contact Titus Lester at titusl@meridiantech.edu or (405) 377-3333.