Cerritos College
Science, Engineering, and Math Division

Chemical Technician Advisory Committee Minutes
November 29, 2018

Meeting called to order at 7:15 pm by Mickey Micic 

Joint session with ENGT/ET/NPD/PMT

Horacio made a motion to adopt the new Chemical Technician certificate. Everyone was in favor. 

Mickey then asked everyone to introduce himself or herself:
•	Horacio Kido – Scientist at ROTA PREP, UCI Engineer
•	Evelyn Panduro – Engineer at GKN Aerospace & alumni of Cerritos College
•	Mike Fitzgerald – PMT P/T Faculty 
•	Joe McGurty – Technical Sales Representative at Composites One
•	David Li – Cerritos College F/T instructor
•	Al Rajeckas  – Biotech Consultant
•	Stephanie Rodriguez – Interim Dean of Science, Engineering, and Math at Cerritos College
•	Sean Bonness - Cerritos College F/T Chemistry instructor
•	Nicole Iwaz - Cerritos College F/T Earth Science instructor
•	Gabriel Gonzalez – Lab Manager at RDAbbott
•	Carmen Lizarraga – Administrative Assistant III in SEM Division at Cerritos College
•	Amy Moskun - Cerritos College F/T instructor
•	Dr. Linda Waldman - Cerritos College Department Chair of Chemistry
•	Jeff Bradbury - Cerritos College F/T instructor
•	Eric Ehlers – Canyon Composites Inc. 
•	Mickey Micic – Department Chair of ENGT/ET/NPD/PMT

Mickey advised that the purpose of this advisory committee was to help students obtain entry-level technical jobs with the proposed Chemical Technician Certificate.  The plan is to build stackable certificates.  The college’s funding formula will be based off the number of certificates obtained.  The Chemistry department is in need of new machines and technology and this advisory committee can help in obtaining those items. 

Mickey advised that in PMT – Mike and Fergus cleaned up the building to meet industry standards.  The building is clean; they have a CNC cutter, and it’s now a lab for materials testing.  They have an SEM microscope and hardness tester. 

The industry recommends the SEM Division obtain equipment by applying for the IPII grant.  Mike Fitzgerald, Mikey Micic, & David Li have received training certificates – can lead to Level 1 certificates.  As a result, the college does not have the pay for supplies or maintenance. 

Erik Ehlers asked if the chemistry department is trying to buy or use industry equipment. 

Stephanie Rodriguez asked how we can collaborate with industry? Mickey Micic advised that his department certificates are tied to cross enrollment of students. Most of the students are due to PLTW and dual enrollment. Mike Fitzgerald said the certificate is good for students and helps them get jobs earlier and possibly school is paid for. Stephanie Rodriguez said that this certificate is a great way to get a job that will pay for school so they do not have school loans. 

Stephanie advised how the proposed Chemical Technician certificate came about.  Gabriel had a fall technical session at TLARGI that our staff was invited too.  Stephanie said we ended up attending a TLARGI mini expo on behalf of the college and that industry was surprised to see us there.  We performed a survey to make sure that we were on the right track.  We inquired if the skills in question were to provide well-trained applicants for the job pool, if it was viable, and if there would be potential job positions available. Mike Fitzgerald said perhaps we need to go back and ask industry what else to add.  

Mickey Micic said that now we are in the stage of cleaning up curriculum.  New classes will be more specialized. 

Jeff Bradbury said we have two potential ways.  We can have industry be trained here at Cerritos College. 

Evelyn said the Chemical Technician certificate would be beneficial.  At her current job she tested materials that they created in-house such as acrylic.  They tested bonds, tensile strength and those people had a “lab technician” job title. Her education at that time consisted of a AA in ENGT and a BA in Industrial Engineering, but she had no work experience.  She said that most are quick to learn as those jobs are practical and hands-on.  She says it is the same for other employees.  

Erick asked if prior work experience or the degree is more important with pay?  Evelyn advised that her company has a R&D lab in addition to the test lab area.  The most important thing is the interview and keeping the job. 

Stephanie Rodriguez went over our soft skills handout.   That this is a great way to teach students how to keep their job and engage with others. 

Gabriel Gonzalez said that RDAbbott has a central research area (with Scientists at the Ph.D. level) and then technicians, which is the entry level jobs.  The entry tech jobs can eventually turn into Tech Service jobs, which will require a degree (and their company pays for it). 

Mickey Micic said this proposed certificate is a stepping stone.  Mickey has noticed over the last 6 years that knowledge of skills is declining and students believe that work is optional. 

Stephanie Rodriguez let the committee know that the day prior we had 100 middle school students from the ABC Unified school district come for a tour of our SEM facilities.  They were well-behaved and participated in hands-on college level experiments. 

Mickey Micic said that he had multiple PLTW students graduate from Cerritos College while still in high school.  He recommends that the SEM Division participate in dual enrollment classes. 

Jeff Bradbury said that a lot of students do not know what they want to do in the future.  If they find that Chemistry is hard then they are not as motivated.  If we tell the students early on (1st semester) about the technical side then it will be more transformative and can lead to other opportunities.  Mickey advised that he does a lot of industry tours with his students so they can learn and see what is out there. 

Eric said that on January 24, 2019 we are hosting Head Con in Gardena. 

Stephanie Rodriguez advised that we would like to have a industry speaker (RDAbbott), a mini expo/job fair in the Spring and potentially have students participating in experiments during the job fair. This may help to draw students to the event.

The next advisory committee meeting will be held on March 28, 2019. 

There was a motion to continue the proposed Chemical Technician certificate as the department will need equipment. Dr. Linda Waldman  motioned for it.  Mike Fitzgerald 2nd it and everyone agreed. 

Mickey Micic advised about his classes.  For ENGT he is starting cloud classes, Onshape and CATIA.  For PMT they are doing more simulations.  The will have core classes and then other career paths such as aerospace, composites tech, fiberglass, injection molding, inspection certificate, assembly and mini classes (SEM machine).  He asked the panel if there was anything they would like to see.  

Eric advised that he noticed that industry says they want quality with consistency and documentation.  With verification they want digital (not paper).  Mickey said he has a NPD class for this as Boeing is asking for it. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm. 

Some of the staff went for a tour in the PMT building with Mike Fitzgerald.