Wallace State Community College’s Applied Technologies Division is shaping curriculum across the country, closing in on a record four instructors certified as NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) Master Trainers.

Wallace State instructors Jeremy Smith (Diesel Technology), Steve Smith (Machine Tool Technology) and Keith Tolbert (Mechatronics) have each earned their Master Trainer NC3 certification and Jim Thompson (Welding) is in the process of completing his training. Additionally, multiple instructors on campus have earned NC3 certification hours.

Wallace State offers NC3 learning in the following programs: Automotive Service Technology, Building Construction, Collision Repair, Diesel Technology, Engineering Technology, HVAC, Mechatronics, Machine Tool Technology and Welding.

“The whole philosophy of NC3 is to raise the standard of instruction and infuse excellence across the board in all of our technical programs. Wallace State is unique in a lot of ways and with NC3 we are unique. We have four master trainers on campus and that helps us stand out. We are proud to be a part of the NC3 family,” said Wallace State Dean of Applied Technologies Jimmy Hodges.

According to the organization, NC3 is a network of education providers and corporations that, together, embody passion for innovative CTE models and produce a sustainable, highly-skilled workforce. It was established to help build a workforce prepared to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industries by connecting employers and educational institutions in partnerships that foster effective training, elevation of skilled careers, and employment opportunities.

Jeremy Smith is a Master Trainer in Torque, Kubota Certifications, Precision Measurement Instruments (PMI), Battery Starting and Charging and Multimeters. Steve Smith is a Master Trainer in PMI and Advanced Measuring Instruments (AMI). Tolbert is a FESTO Master Trainer and Thompson is completing his Master Trainer work with Lincoln Electric.

“Our instructors incorporate the NC3 components through their classroom instruction and that benefits our students as they progress through our programs,” Hodges said.

Added Tolbert: “Wallace State is a national leader through NC3 because of the certifications our instructors have earned and the Master Trainers we have on campus. You hear the Wallace State brand a lot when you attend a Master Trainer session. NC3 is sponsored by nationwide companies like Snap-On, Greenlee, Lincoln Electric, Starrett, Kubota and FESTO, and representatives from these companies have all been to Wallace State and love our programs and campus.”

Hodges and the Applied Technologies program hope to continue to raise the NC3 bar on campus.

“My goal is to have instructors from all over the country come to Wallace State to be trained and certified in different areas,” Hodges said.