MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (AP) - A few career-ready programs at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home have a lower enrollment rate than expected, given the opportunities for graduates.
Designed to prepare students to go straight into the workforce, the following career-ready tracks are in demand: heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), nursing and paramedic.
These programs can be completed in one or two years.
The Baxter Bulletin reports that the HVAC program - which started about four years ago - allows students to earn a technical certificate, lasting one year, or an associate of applied science, lasting two years.
Six to eight students opt for the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASU-Mountain Home) HVAC program, which, according to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, has an average salary of $36,000.
Martin Eggensperger, ASU-Mountain Home Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said part of the problems with advertising for a specific program is that every program could benefit from increased enrollment, plus advertising is expensive.
“We’d rather put that money toward the education of the students,” he said, arguing that, “It’s a difficult balance to maintain.”
While the enrollment rate for these career-ready programs is lower than expected, Eggensperger said he’d like to see enrollment growth in all programs.
ASU-Mountain Home outgoing instructor of HVAC, Eric Smith, said the job opportunities within the HVAC field “are tremendous” all over the U.S. and, in fact, all over the world.
The current problem the field is facing is that it’s expanding, he said, and the age group of the current workers is getting to “mine to where they’re looking at retirement,” which is again going to open more job opportunities.
“They’re expecting a 35 percent increase within the next seven years,” Smith said.
He’s making sure students in the HVAC program are getting hands-on experience.
During Thursday’s lesson, he used a commercial refrigerator training unit enthusiastically to explain the function and operation of the evaporator to students, as well as showing them how to isolate the second evaporator.
Dean of the School of Business and Technology for ASU-Mountain Home Karen Heslep said graduates of the HVAC program have been hired at residential heating and cooling companies, boasting that the potential of the HVAC program is “exciting.”
The paramedic program is dealing with the same situation as the HVAC program, which includes the marketing issue. Both programs need students to meet general ASUMH-Mountain Home admission requirements.
The program offers a technical certificate, or an associate of arts, with an average salary of $26,045 and $37,000, respectively. Baxter Regional Medical Center is the main local employer.
The difference between the HVAC, paramedic and the nursing program is that there are more students in the nursing program.
The nursing program has 18 students per year and per program: practical nursing, commonly known as licensed practical nursing, and registered nursing.
A graduate with a technical certificate makes an average salary of $36,370, according to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.
There are some prerequisites that need to be met prior to admission into the program in addition to institutional requirements, which are set to ensure safety and success. The average salary for a registered nurse is $56,870 - requiring the same admission process as the practical nursing program.
Job opportunities for these career-ready programs are undoubtedly growing. But, just as every program, the school wants students to have access to resources to help them land their dream job.
Career Placement Coordinator for ASU-Mountain Home George Truell said not everyone needs his help, but that’s fine. Graduates sometimes get their own pathways into the workforce, which instructors might have helped with.
For other people whose goals are not to work in the area, he can help them get going. Branding, which is the way job seekers are presenting themselves to employers, is becoming the biggest challenge for students.
He wants them to think about the message their email address gives to people. For example, students should avoid creating emails such as “Georgeloveshisbeer@yahoo.com.”
When companies reach out to candidates, and they don’t have their voicemail set up, they’re not going to look for ways to get a hold of that candidate, he said. The employer is likely to call someone else.
Truell wants students to be aware of the brand they’re building on social media. Companies google candidates’ names, so he recommends students to google their name to see what comes up.
“They wanna make sure they’re bringing somebody in that’s gonna be good for the team, and it’s not gonna be an embarrassment,” Truell said.
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Information from: The Baxter Bulletin, https://www.baxterbulletin.com
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