SOWELA Technical Community College

The mission of the Aviation Maintenance Technology program is to provide a hands-on learning environment and practical application of aircraft maintenance training. This program is a federally regulated Aviation Training School, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is an accredited program of the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). Once training is accomplished, the students are then authorized to test for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification. The certification process consists of two testing segments; multiple choice testing and the oral and practical testing detailing General, Airframe and Powerplant sections administered by an FAA Designated Maintenance Examiner (DME). Upon successful completion of these tests, the graduate is awarded the Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic Certificate from the FAA. Students can also decide to test for the FAA Airframe certificate or Powerplant certificate separately, once training has been accomplished for these areas. SOWELA awards a Technical Diploma to all students who complete the aviation maintenance training (66 credit hours). Students receive an Associates of Applied Science Degree upon completion of the aviation maintenance training (66 credit hours) and general studies courses (15 credit hours) totaling 81 credit hours. We are dedicated to ensuring our students receive prior learning credit for equivalent training received in the military (competency test required) and / or transferred credits from other participating FAA Part 147 training schools (grade C or higher from FAA certified courses).

The purpose of the Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Technology program is to provide specialized classroom instruction and practical shop experience to prepare individuals to engage in the servicing and maintenance of all types of automobiles. The program prepares the individual to select, safely use, and maintain hand and power tools, jacks, and hoisting equipment; provides instruction in the diagnosis of malfunctions and the repair of engines; instruction in the analysis of fuel, electrical, cooling, brake systems, drive train, and suspension systems are included. The competencies in the Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Technology program are closely correlated with the knowledge required to prepare an individual for the certification test given by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The content is organized into competency-based courses of instruction that specify occupational competencies that the individual must successfully complete according to the priorities for tasks established by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

The Chemical Laboratory Technology offers students an opportunity to earn an associate degree designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a petro-chemical laboratory environment as a chemical laboratory technician. Students enrolled in the program will receive training to enhance possibilities of employment, retention, and promotion in the workforce.

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare the student to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The program consists of both classroom instruction and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care agencies.

Sterile Processing is a certificate program designed to train students as Sterile Processing Technicians to support the surgical team.

The Surgical Technology program is designed to train practitioners at the Associate of Applied Science degree level to meet the needs of local healthcare partners. Students will acquire the skills needed to enter the workforce as entry-level Surgical Technologist serving as a member of the surgical team.

The mission of the Criminal Justice program is to provide specialized classroom instruction and practical experience to prepare students for employment or promotional opportunities in criminal justice agency positions in crime prevention, public safety, corrections, or other related fields. This program is designed to educate students who wish to pursue a career in criminal justice or for additional training of individuals already employed in the field. The program emphasizes safe and efficient work practices, basic occupational skills, and the application of federal, state, and local laws as they apply to both emergency and routine situations. Course content is organized into competency-based courses of instruction that specify occupational competencies that the student must successfully complete.

The mission of the Criminal Justice program is to provide specialized classroom instruction and practical experience to prepare students for employment or promotional opportunities in criminal justice agency positions in crime prevention, public safety, corrections, or other related fields. This program is designed to educate students who wish to pursue a career in criminal justice or for additional training of individuals already employed in the field. The program emphasizes safe and efficient work practices, basic occupational skills, and the application of federal, state, and local laws as they apply to both emergency and routine situations. Course content is organized into competency-based courses of instruction that specify occupational competencies that the student must successfully complete.

The Forest Technology program prepares students to produce, protect, and manage woodland resources. Coursework also includes how to maintain and operate related equipment and harvest raw forest materials for converting into a variety of consumer goods.

The Culinary Arts program prepares students to work in service, production, fast foods, and baking areas of the food service industry. Program content includes American Culinary Federation information and guidelines for approved chef training, accreditation, and National Restaurant Association Pro Management Certification. Students also learn the business side of Culinary Arts such as managing a budget and more.

The Digital Arts and Communication program prepares students for employment and advancement within digital media. Two concentrations are available: Graphic Design and Media Production. Fields include advertising, printing, video, photography, website design, motion graphics, podcasting, reporting, and recording. Students learn how to use industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative suite. The program is available at the Main Campus in Lake Charles.

In this program, students learn the board and computer drafting skills needed for structural, architectural, civil/surveying, electrical,machine/manufacturing, piping, and materials drafting. Coursework covers computer-aided drafting, drawing, design, computer technology, and drafting theory. Available at the Main Campus in Lake Charles.

The General Apprenticeship with a concentration in Plumbing Construction is a 50 credit hour program for plumbers and steamfitters apprentices that prepare them with the required classroom theory added to their in-the-field work experience to attain the level of journeyman in the plumbing field. The essential purpose of the program is to meet the changing needs of the labor group and to provide the highest level of education possible for employees of the region in plumbing work. The goal of this program is to provide specialized skilled-trades courses in an effort to provide students with the skills necessary, based on industry standards to become plumbing journeymen. The curriculum places emphasis on the development of a common set of trade skills.

The purpose of the Welding program is to prepare individuals for employment in the field of welding. Instruction is provided in various processes and techniques of welding including oxy-fuel cutting, carbon arc cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, pipe welding, plasma arc cutting, blueprint reading, weld symbols, and joints. After completion of this program, the student will have covered the skills designated by the American Welding Society (AWS) and will be prepared to take the AWS Entry Level Welder Test.

The General Apprenticeship with a concentration in Electrical Construction is a 50 credit hour program for apprentices of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) that prepares them with the required classroom theory added to their in-the-field work experience to attain the level of journeyman in the electrical field. The essential purpose of this program is to meet the changing needs of this labor group and to provide the highest level of education possible for employees of the region in electrical work. The goal of this program is to provide specialized skilled-trades courses in an effort to provide students with the skills necessary, based on industry standards, to become electrical journeymen. The curriculum places emphasis on the development of a common set of trade skills.

The General Apprenticeship with a concentration in Electrical Construction is a 50 credit hour program for apprentices of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) that prepares them with the required classroom theory added to their in-the-field work experience to attain the level of journeyman in the electrical field. The essential purpose of this program is to meet the changing needs of this labor group and to provide the highest level of education possible for employees of the region in electrical work. The goal of this program is to provide specialized skilled-trades courses in an effort to provide students with the skills necessary, based on industry standards, to become electrical journeymen. The curriculum places emphasis on the development of a common set of trade skills.

The Industrial Electrical program prepares individuals to install, troubleshoot, and repair wiring, electrical equipment, and other electrical devices used in the industrial environment, such as motors (AC and DC drives), transformers, control systems, industrial instruments, PLC’s, and lighting systems. Program specialties emphasize safe and efficient work practices and basic occupational skills. They are organized into competency-based courses that specify occupational competencies, which the student must successfully complete. Areas of study also include all applicable codes and standards of blueprint reading, and wiring diagram interpretations, which are appropriate to the area.

The Industrial Instrumentation program prepares individuals to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair various types of measuring and control instruments and peripherals, such as measuring, transmitting, indicating, recording, and controlling devices, final elements, PLC, DCS, optical instruments, and control areas of electronics, motor controls, and different types of measuring systems.

The Industrial Instrumentation program prepares individuals to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair various types of measuring and control instruments and peripherals, such as measuring, transmitting, indicating, recording, and controlling devices, final elements, PLC, DCS, optical instruments, and control areas of electronics, motor controls, and different types of measuring systems.

The Associate of Applied Science in Machine Tool Technology is designed to prepare students with a practical approach to machining and millwright. The program prepares students to install conveyor systems, connect machinery to power supplies and piping, direct hoisting and setting of machines, and adjust the moving and stationary parts of machines to certain specifications. Students learn to shape metal parts on lathes, grinders, drill presses, milling machines and computer numerical controlled machines.

Machine Tool Technology is designed to prepare students with a practical approach to machining and millwright. The program prepares students to install conveyor systems, connect machinery to power supplies and piping, direct hoisting and setting of machines, and adjust the moving and stationary parts of machines to certain specifications. Students learn to shape metal parts on lathes, grinders, drill presses, milling machines and computer numerical controlled machines.

The purpose of this program is to provide classroom instruction and practical shop experience to prepare students for employment in a variety of jobs in the field of Process Technology or to provide supplementary training for persons previously or currently in related process operations.

The mission of the Information Systems Technology program is to offer students a well-rounded computer-based education that will equip them for entry-level software and networking positions or to help further their education. Students will receive supervised programming assignments, hands-on projects, training in computer hardware and operating systems, and an understanding of troubleshooting techniques. Program courses help prepare students for various industry-based certifications.

The mission of the Information Systems Technology program is to offer students a well-rounded computer-based education that will equip them for entry-level software and networking positions or to help further their education. Students will receive supervised programming assignments, hands-on projects, training in computer hardware and operating systems, and an understanding of troubleshooting techniques. Program courses help prepare students for various industry-based certifications.