Returning veterans, recent high school graduates and other individuals looking to immediately begin a new career in the aerospace, high technology and biomedical manufacturing industries are invited to attend a daylong Fast Track Institute program orientation being hosted by the College of the Canyons Employee Training Institute (ETI) and the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center.

This fall’s Manufacturing Assembler and Technician Training Fast Track program is being funded through a grant from the California Community College’s Economic & Workforce Development (EWD) program’s Job Development Incentive Fund — and is available to participants at no charge.

Candidates accepted into the program will receive 250 hours of hands-on training spread out over a seven-week period, running Sept. 18 to Nov. 2, 2012.

Classes will meet from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with sessions designed to teach a variety of advanced precision assembly functions and manufacturing processes. Other topics of instruction will include:

* Manufacturing safety techniques

* Shop math

* Blueprint reading

* Inspection techniques

* Soldering

* Documentation procedures

* LEAN manufacturing methods

* Communication skills

* Problem solving skills

Upon completion of the program, graduates will also be invited to a private job fair event where they will have the opportunity to meet with potential employers and showcase their recently acquired skillset.

“We have had tremendous results in helping participants begin careers in aerospace, biomedical and other high-tech industries through the Fast Track program,” said John Milburn, director of the COC Employee Training Institute. “This intensive training program, coupled with the private job fair at the end of the program, has been very effective in providing participants of all ages and abilities the skills they need to be successful in today’s highly competitive job market.”

Individuals interested in learning more about this program are invited to attend a free daylong Fast Track orientation event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, located on the college’s Valencia campus (University Center Drive entrance).

In order to participate, individuals must register in advance and arrive prior to the event’s 9 a.m. start time. Seating for this event is limited.

Throughout the day attendees will be able to receive more information and ask questions about program requirements, meet with industry professionals to learn more about the type of work they will be performing, submit applications and complete a basic math and English workforce assessment.

About the COC FastTrack Institute

Housed under the college’s Economic Development Division, the COC Fast Track Institute provides fast-paced, intensive job preparation programs for job seekers, mid-career professionals, returning veterans, recent high school graduates and others looking to quickly jump-start their careers.

By focusing on industry sectors where qualified candidates are in high demand, the Fast Track Institute is able to successfully connect local employers with a fresh pool of potential applicants who are trained to work in their particular industry sector.

To keep the program up-to-date with current industry needs and practices, the college has also partnered with a number of local manufacturing employers to help identify the key skills and attributes applicants need to possess in order to be successful in these types of work environments.

For more information about this fall’s COC Fast Track Institute Manufacturing Assembler and Technician Training program, or to register to attend the orientation event on Sept.  7, please call (661) 362-5657 or visit http://mytinyurl.com/ftmatt4.