Nicolet College is launching two new evening programs for people interested in careers in Industrial Electronics Maintenance and Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC).

Classes will meet from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday and Thursday night Feb. 11 through April 3.

Both programs were created in consultation with area employers and designed to give graduates the skills necessary for entry-level positions in these fields, said Jim Brown, Nicolet's vice president of instruction.

“Along with the skills needed, the classes also provide the flexibility that many people need in order to earn a college education,” Brown said. “We've found that taking classes part-time in the evening is the only way many people can attend college.”

The program will start with the classes Introduction to Electricity on Mondays and Electronic Calculations I on Thursdays. These will be followed with DC Circuits on Thursday evenings April 9 to May 28.

All classes are one credit and will be held in room 101B on the ground floor of the Art-Tech Center on the Rhinelander campus. Tuition is $101.75 per class.

The programs will continue with one or two class per week for two years. During the first year students in both programs will take the same classes to learn the basics. During the second year students will take more specialized classes specific to becoming an Industrial Maintenance or HVAC technician.

These second-year classes will also be open to people already working in the fields and looking to upgrade their skills, Brown added.

Typical work for an Industrial Electronic Maintenance technician includes basic installation, maintenance and repair of industrial electronic equipment. HVAC technicians typically install and maintain residential and commercial heating and cooling systems and other equipment such as refrigerators, icemakers and walk-in freezers.

Demand for professionals in both fields is expected to stay strong through 2014, according to local employers and the U.S. Department of Labor. Wages in the Northwoods average $14 to $15 an hour for both careers. Wages can increase with above average skills and experience. Credits earned at Nicolet can also transfer to other colleges that offer additional training in these fields.

For more information, or to register, contact the Nicolet College Admissions Office at (715) 365-4451 or 1-800-544-3039, ext. 4451.