Call for Technical Education answered by Technology Center Robotics teams, mobile soldering training and rapid prototyping demos teach tech skills

ROCKLIN – Both President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger are promoting science, math and technology education. At Sierra College, the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (find CACT at: www.SierraCollegeTraining.com ) is already partnering with schools to attract young people to the field of robotics; offering businesses on-site, customized technical training for employees; and sponsoring educational demonstrations to spur technology transfer.

Industry advisors encouraged the CACT to introduce technical careers to school-age children. As a result, South Placer high school students are building a robot that can play basketball to compete in the FIRST Robotics competition funded in-part with a challenge grant from the Sierra College CACT. Hosted at Granite Bay High School , the robotics club also has support from Intel, PASCO Scientific and Wachovia Securities and is seeking more funding to go to the national competition. Contact Sandra Scott at CACT 916-781-6244 for sponsorship information.

Affymetrix, Carpenter Advanced Ceramics, United Natural Foods and Nevada Irrigation District rely on Sierra College for customized, on-site employee training. To make technical education convenient, CACT has a mobile soldering laboratory that can go to employers' work sites and deliver soldering training and certification to the IPC standard. Similarly, the mobile computer lab offers Microsoft Office software training. Communication, leadership, business and process improvement training can also be customized to employers' needs.

To strengthen the competitiveness of technology firms, CACT showcases new techniques. For businesses that design products or components, CACT offers demonstrations on how to dramatically reduce lead times and cut costs using new rapid prototyping technology. The new Digital Design program offers training in solid modeling, rapid prototyping, Product Data Management (PDM) and Concurrent Engineering. The CACT's demonstration 3-D printer and mobile solid modeling training lab can quickly produce usable plastic parts from 3D computer models.  For a free demonstration at your work site, call Sandra Scott at 916-781-6244.

The CACT Lean Manufacturing demonstration site at Roplast shows businesses how to use existing resources more effectively, increasing capacity, improving quality, speeding production and cutting costs. CACT training helps businesses improve their processes by mapping their systems, identifying bottlenecks, and streamlining operations to cut wasted activity and add value to the customer. To arrange a Roplast tour, call Sandra Scott at 916-781-6244.

The Center for Applied Competitive Technologies supports companies with employee training, technology deployment and industry development. Since 1997, the Sierra College CACT has supported manufacturers and technology companies in Northern California from Sacramento to the Oregon border . Go to www.sierracollegetraining.com or call Sandra Scott at 916-781-6244.