Small Town News

College adapts to job demand

---

Yavapai College is adding new course programs while removing and combining some elements of others for the next academic year.

New programs include associate of applied science degrees in emergency management applications, aviation technology and health information technology.

The school will be removing the programs for a website design certificate and associate of applied science degrees in professional airline pilot and professional helicopter pilot.

According to a report given to the Yavapai College Governing Board, the website design certificate program's outcome is better met by other programs offered by the school.

As for the airplane and helicopter pilot programs, officials are counting on the new aviation technology program to replace those certifications.

The school is also planning to launch a lineman's associate degree program in fall 2013, said James Perry, dean of Yavapai College's Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale.

"Much of this is being grant funded by a large consortium," Perry said.

Perry said the new programs would offer "more opportunities" for students at Yavapai College.

"The health information technology associate's degree is taking the place of the old medical coding certificate," Perry said. "The curriculum is designed for people who want to prepare for a career in various medical environments such as clinics, long-term health care and acute care. The outcomes have been expanded and still include medical coding."

The emergency management degree has been designed for those looking to go into fields like fire and police services or environmental health and safety.

"State and federal mandates have created a need for preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery within various nonprofit, governmental and nongovernmental entities to help with short and long-term sustainability," the report stated. "The need came about due to increased global threats including man-made emergencies, natural disasters, terrorism, technological disasters and workplace disruptions."

Government jobs in the field have the potential to range in salary from $80,000 to $150,000 a year.

The new aviation program will focus on both fixed-wing and rotor aircraft, Perry said, and will include an opportunity for high school students to get a jump-start on their aviation education.

It also puts Yavapai College in the position of becoming one of the first unmanned aircraft flight-training schools.

The school is also working on developing a partnership with Lockheed Martin to proyide particular training the company is looking for to fill flight-service specialist positions - a job for which there are around 90 to 100 openings a year.

Other training opportunities are for air traffic controllers and professional pilots.

The report also addressed the new health degree program.

"This program will prepare students to work in traditional and non-traditional leadership and supporting roles in health care settings in health information management including acute care, alternative care settings, government, correctional facilities, education, billing, insurance, software sales and vendor services," the report stated.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates anywhere from 12,000 to 50,000 new jobs will be created in these fields by 2017, a result of new technologies and new laws.

Mark Lineberger can be reached at 567-3341 or email CVEditor@larsonnewspapers.com



Copyright 2012 The Camp Verde Journal, Camp Verde, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

More from The Camp Verde Journal