After speaking with the instructors at the fair, Patrice felt that process technology was the way to go. What’s so attractive? “It’s the new ‘gold collar’ job,” she said, noting that there are good wages and a large number of positions available for those who have the right skills.

Patrice applied to the Workforce Investment Act at Jefferson County Workforce Center and was approved for training funds for the Process Technology program, enabling her to obtain her Associates degree with a focus in power generation. Later this summer she will take on a new challenge as an intern at an Xcel Energy plant in Minnesota. Patrice enjoys the hands-on aspect of process technology, but she’s also quick to point out that there are other career tracks for process technicians that don’t require you to get your hands dirty. “You can work in the control room, too,” she said, but prefers to “turn wrenches.” Assured of her bright future, Patrice is looking forward to a rewarding career in process tech.

The Process Technology program at Red Rocks Community College is currently recruiting students for the 2007-2008 school year. For more information on the program, click here or call Chuck Beck at 303.914.6342.

For more information on the Workforce Investment Act, call 303.271.4700.