TNCC adding free career program in Newport News; ECPI grad builds robotic arm

Thomas Nelson is adding free short-term programs to serve underserved communities in Newport News.A $24,500 Wells Fargo Transformational Workforce Award for the Eastern region will help kick off the “Forward Thinking” job-training initiative, according to a news release from TNCC.CRP handling robot

Held in partnership with the Peninsula Regional Education Program, there will be two education tracks: Track I for those with a high school credential, and Track II for those who first need a GED.

Track I will start with coursework to be a certified nurse assistant or a clinical medical administrative assistant, followed by four to six weeks of basic skills instruction.The program will include earning a career readiness certificate, which will show competency in math and English; receiving a digital literacy certification, such as showing competency at Microsoft Office programs; learning soft skills; and working with a career coach on interviewing skills and job search strategies.

CNA classes will start in the spring, with both programs operating in the fall. The goal enrollment for each is 45 students.Classes will be held at TNCC’s Southeast Higher Education Center inside An Achievable Dream Middle/High School. For more information, call 757-865-3122.That’s right, a big robotic arm, made of 3D printed colorful plastic parts, wired, circuited and programmed by Moroge himself.

He just graduated from ECPI University’s Newport News campus, where he first started playing around with the program during an after-class electronics club.

Moroge used the combined skills of his major of mechatronics — a blend of mechanical and electronic engineering — as well as hydraulics, pneumatics and computer systems into one study.

The Army vet 3D printed all of the parts, many on a printer he had to build at home for his personal use once the length of print time escalated from 12 to 20 to 36 hours.