ELKO - Great Basin College President, Dr. Mark A. Curtis hosted several leaders from business and industry at luncheons on the Great Basin College campus this week. The discussions were among stakeholders in mining support businesses, and focused on the challenges those businesses face in the coming years.
Dr. Curtis led the discussions with senior managers from Arnold Machinery, Boart-Longyear, , Cummins Rocky Mountain, Liebherr, RAM Enterprises, Barrick Gold of North America and Newmont Mining. While the college has historically provided training in the technology areas of the mining industry, Curtis' intention was to examine the deeper needs of the industry. "We discovered new areas where we can assist in developing the workforce in the region," he said.
"We train talented technologists, but there are skills beyond technology that the workforce requires," Curtis said. The discussion revealed needs in safety, industrial hygiene and office administration. In addition, leaders expressed a need for training specific to their industry and the technology utilized by their individual businesses. "These are all areas where we can assist in developing the workforce," he said.
The discussion is part of the VISION 2020 effort in which the college is currently engaged. The work focuses on developing partnerships for workforce development within the GBC service area, and will result in support for scholarships, institutional sustainability, health sciences and emerging technologies. Curtis will continue to meet with industry leaders to help support economic and workforce development in the region and across the state. "Governor Brian Sandoval has committed to 50,000 new jobs in Nevada by 2014. We're here to help him keep that commitment," Curtis said.
Great Basin College is a member institution of the Nevada System of Higher Education and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For 40 years GBC has provided opportunities in higher education for rural Nevadans. GBC awards Certificates of Achievement, Associate and select Baccalaureate degrees using a variety of instructional methods.
[[In-content Ad]]
