Record 701 students to be recognized at graduation ceremony

Ashland Community and Technical College will recognize a record number of 701 students at the Graduation Ceremony on Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Paramount Arts Center.

The students to be honored are August and December 2015 graduates, and May and Summer 2016 graduation candidates. Many have earned more than one degree, diploma or certificate, and over 1,700 credentials will be awarded.

Retiring Ashland School System Superintendent Steve Gilmore will be the keynote speaker. He has been with the system for 39 years, serving a teacher, coach and administrator, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

Twins Kathryn and Susan Barber from Ashland will be the graduating student speakers. Both are Dean’s List students who are graduating with High Distinction. Kathryn is earning an Associate in Arts Degree and Susan is earning an Associate in Science Degree.

The Woodlands Foundation will receive the Distinguished Service Award. The Boyd County High School Navy JROTC, under the direction of Master Chief James Sandlin (Ret.), will be the color guard, and ACTC student Ciera James will sing the national anthem.

The Graduation Ceremony is free and open to the public. The Ceremony will stream live beginning at 7:20 p.m. at www.greenupbeacon.com and www.greenupbeacon2.com.

Fiber Optic Courses

Ashland Community and Technical College is offering three Fiber Optic certification classes in June to help people prepare for jobs in fiber optics testing, maintenance and repair. The courses are recognized by the US Department of Labor and sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association.

Classes are held at the Roberts Drive Campus, located at 4700 Roberts Drive in Ashland. Each class includes background information on theory and processes, with most of the class time spent on hands-on training activities. Certification tests will be given and graded on the last day of class.

Fee includes materials and tests. For more information or to register, contact ACTC workforce Solutions, 606-326-2130 or email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu.

The Certified Fiber Optics Technician Course (CFOT) introduces industry standards governing FTTD (Fiber To The Desk), FTTH (Fiber To The Home), and Distribution Cabling. Students will learn to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors, and properly install, terminate, splice, and test fiber cables to existing standards. The course meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 6 to 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The fee is $700.

The Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing & Maintenance Course (CFOS/T) offers advanced training to those involved with the testing and maintaining fiber optics networks. Students learn a variety of testing standards, equipment and technological approaches in fiber network testing and splicing. The course meets Thursday and Friday, June 9 and 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the fee is $675.

The new Certified Fiber Optics Specialist Outside Plant Course (CFOS/O) is for students who have completed the CFOT course and will be directly involved in outdoor installation. After covering standards for working with fiber optics cables in a rugged outdoor environment, students will learn to install, prepare, terminate, splice, test and troubleshoot Outside Plant (OSP) fiber cables to existing standards. The class meets Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the fee is $675.

ACTC is one of five KCTCS colleges partnering with SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) to provide Eastern Kentucky residents with educational opportunities that can lead to technology jobs.

Preparation for the ACT Class

Planning on college? The next ACT test will be given on June 11, and the college is offering a class to high school students get ready for the test. A 16-hour -preparation class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 17 to June 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Roberts Drive Campus.

The class is designed to help overcome test anxiety and improve test-taking skills. Participants will go over ACT type questions, learn test-taking tips, review English grammar and punctuation, and practice working arithmetic and geometry problems.
The fee is $99, and students will need to purchase Baron’s Preparation for the ACT. Preregistration is required. To register, call ACTC Workforce Solutions: 606.326.2130 or email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu.
Advanced 3D Printing Class

A free Advanced 3D Printing class will be held Saturday, June 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Technology Drive Campus. Participants will discover how to convert images to 3D models and will learn basic computer aided design concepts such as including extrusion, scaling, mesh, water tight, and interlocking parts.

Spaces are limited on a first come basis. To register or for more information, call ACTC Workforce Solutions, 606-326-2130 or email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu.

This workshop is supported by a USDA Rural Development in Evolving Technologies Project grant. The grant has provided workforce development training classes in 3D printing and Drone Technology that align with the SOAR Year One Working Group Priorities for Regional Action and Collaboration.

Electrical/HVAC Continuing Education

Two recertification classes approved for continuing education by the KY Department of Housing, Building and Construction will be held Saturday, June 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at ACTC’s Roberts Drive Campus.

Analysis of NEC Upgrades is approved for Kentucky master electricians and electricians. Green Energy and Business Management Practices is approved for Kentucky HVAC Journeymen and Masters, electrical contractors and plumbers.
Each class is $85, and preregistration is required through ACTC Workforce Solutions, email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu or call 606-326-2130. Participants should bring their license and a photo ID to class.