Local students complete Iron One Educational Foundation courses

Moran Iron Works created the Iron One Education Foundation in August 2004 with the participation of Alpena Community College to provide advanced technical training for Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CAD) and the Fundamentals of Welding.

According to spokesperson Bridget LaLonde, ACC took an active role in assisting Moran Iron Works in developing and executing the program in a timely manner. ACC President Olin Joynton and Dean Charles Wiesen were on hand Tuesday to congratulate the students and affirm their support for the foundation.

LaLonde stated that the goal of the foundation is to produce valuable education and experience to members of the work force. Rick Tulgetske, of Rogers City, said, “I learned a lot that will help me get a good job.”

THE FIRST CAD course began with five students in October and was conducted by Ann Szczerowski twice a week for a total of 100 classroom hours. The welding course was taught by Timothy Bur once a week for a total of 50 hours and had seven students.

The two classes worked on a number of individual exercises as well as a combined project to produce some practical items to be donated to

the community. Two iron park benches for the Rogers City Parks Commission and two decorative refuse stands for the Hillman Community Educational Foundation were designed, fabricated, and welded by the students.

LaLonde noted that a new project would be designed, fabricated by the students and donated to a willing community.

The students received certificates of completion endorsed by ACC and are eligible for the next group of classes set to begin the first week in May. The foundation will be offering three additional classes allowing students to build on the techniques they learned in the fall.

All three foundation courses, Principles of Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Fundamentals of Welding, and Introduction to Fabrication, will total 50 classroom hours held once a week for three hours. Registration for the courses is through the office of Dean Wiesen at ACC. The phone number is (989) 358-7235.

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