The Butler Community College Board of Trustees met Tuesday evening to discuss approval of the Composite Engineering Technology Program.

“It’s about meeting the need for area employers,” Butler president, Jackie Vietti said, in response to the program’s many benefits.

Composite technology is used in aircraft component design and fabrication. It is also utilized in the manufacturing of medical devices, machinery components, building materials and other commercial ap­plications, making it a versatile material.

The program was spurred by three central reasons. The first involved a local engineering firm in need of employees skilled specifically in composite technology.  
   
The second factor was derived from Workforce Development of South Central Kansas meetings, indicating that several surrounding two year colleges are developing composites training programs.

The third reason came from a workforce development consultant who urged the college to boost the evolution of its manufacturing engineering technology program.
The Composite Engineering Technology Program will offer courses that enable individuals to utilize basic engineering principles and technical skills. The program will also ready participants for use of advanced materials in commercial manufacturing and provide knowledge in design via Catia.

“There is a need for this kind of training,” said Leann Ellis, vice president for academic affairs.

Ellis went on to explain how the program seems to be a great fit for the area. Aircraft companies including Boeing, Cessna and others have taken advantage of benefits from using composite materials for many years and expect significant growth in the future.

 "This is a tremedous opportunity for us," said Buford Pringle, Butler engineering technology instructor. The program is being pushed for fall consideration and will be offered at the Andover campus.