Skilled Trades Classes with Labs Technical Standards

Purpose Statement

All students in the Skills Trades Classes with Labs are expected to meet certain technical standards which are essential for the successful completion of all phases of the program, and which reflect industry requirements and standards. To verify the student’s ability to perform these essential functions, students may be required to demonstrate the technical standards below.

Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. The ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any certification exams or successful completion of the program.

 

Technical StandardDefinition of StandardsExamples
Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills
  • Abilities sufficient for classroom, lab or work in an industry situation.
  • Abilities sufficient to understand orders, instructions, and descriptions.
  • Abilities sufficient to read and comprehend technical manuals, manufacturer’s instructions, and warning labels in English.
  • Be able to develop plans for fabrication and foresee problems.
  • Be able to determine appropriate materials and tools for operations.
  • Be able to make precise measurements with tape, rules, calipers, etc.
  • Interpret scan tool/test results as being within a normal or abnormal parameter.
  • Apply logic and technical knowledge to current situations or problems.
Interpersonal SkillsAbilities sufficient to interact with individuals and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
  • Establish and maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with colleagues, faculty, staff, and other professionals.
  • Demonstrate time management skills.
  • Be able to work alone or in a group and stay focused on the current task.
Communication Skills
  • Effective communication with others, both verbally and in writing.
  • Abilities sufficient to effectively use a computer using a manual keyboard, mouse, and viewing monitor/screen.
  • Abilities sufficient to communicate with others effectively and clearly in English and to accurately gather, disseminate, and clarify specific information.
  • Demonstrate active listening skills.
  • Speak clearly to others regarding specific tasks.
  • Provide accurate and legible handwritten or computer-entry written reports within 24 hours.
  • Communicate via e-mail in a professional and ethical manner.
  • Read, comprehend, and communicate information in the service manual to the instructor and other students.
  • Comprehend/follow written and verbal instructions.
Coping Skills
  • Function and adapt to circumstances including highly stressful or rapidly changing situations.
  • Abilities sufficient to be productive in a classroom, lab, or industry situation.
  • Solves personal and interpersonal problems.
  • Ability to effectively handle stress and continue to function safely in a variety of situations and interactions.
  • Balances internal needs and external demands.
  • Recognize personal limitations and request assistance as appropriate.
  • Be able to cope with deadlines.
  • Respond appropriately to constructive feedback.
Mobility/Motor Skills
  • Possess the ability to lift, stand, stretch, squat, and crawl or contort to any position as required by the situation. All positions listed above will be encountered in the class, lab, or a work-based learning setting on a consistent basis.
  • Possess excellent hand-eye coordination, flexibility, strength, dexterity, and balance.
  • Abilities sufficient to climb a ladder or scaffolding without assistance.
  • Be able to physically navigate around objects or obstacles on the floor or overhead.
  • Reach/bend for extended periods of time without breaks.
  • Operate hand and/or power tools continually in an acceptable and safe manner.
  • Be able to work up to 90 minutes without taking a break.
  • Be able to lift a dead weight of at least 40 pounds from chest height from floor level without assistance.
  • Able to climb ladders up to 35’ in length while carrying tools and equipment.
  • Have the dexterity to use hand or power tools in confined spaces and at high elevations over 6ft.
  • Ability to move oneself about a construction site safely.
  • Ability to properly use machinery while also wearing required PPE.
Auditory Skills
  • Abilities are sufficient to communicate with co-workers at a moderate distance without a line of sight.
  • Ability to be comfortable working in an environment with loud noises.
  • Auditory abilities are sufficient to hear and respond to instruction and communicate safely with others while surrounded by industrial noise.
  • Willing to work in areas where decibel level may exceed 85 dB's.
  • Ability to use/wear hearing protection.
  • Be capable of distinguishing various sounds, tones, and pitches emitted by tools and equipment.
  • Be able to hear verbal instructions from co-workers at a moderate distance without line of sight.
  • Capable of responding to others over loud decibel tool operations.
Visual SkillsVisual ability (corrected or not) is sufficient for observation, assessment, and safety necessary in both online and classroom environments, in lab settings, or in construction environments.
  • Ability to see videos in classroom, online, and lab environment.
  • Prepare and submit written and online reports.
  • Visual acuity to identify, read, and understand directions, warnings, and gauges on equipment or materials.
  • Visually interpret information from diagrams, scan tools, and test equipment.
  • Be able to see in low or poor lighting conditions due to lab requirements.
  • Read blueprints, sketches, schematic diagrams, and other printed documents.
  • Be able to visualize depth and dimension both straight and peripherally.
  • Able to clearly distinguish colors.
Tactile SkillsTactile skills adequate for work in a class, lab, or industry environment.
  • Be able to determine hot or cold temperatures.
  • Inspect components for wear or failure by touch.
  • Differentiate fluids based on touch/viscosity.
Environmental
  • Abilities are sufficient to maneuver safely on a construction site.
  • Comfortable working at significant heights, in crawl spaces, and in confined spaces.
  • Able to wear the appropriate and required personal protective equipment as required in the performance of specific duties and as required by the industry.
  • Abilities sufficient to function safely under varying environmental factors.
  • Abilities sufficient to remain attentive in the classroom and lab settings.
  • Practice standard safety precautions.
  • Able to wear a 5 lb. tool belt/pouch for up to 10 hours per day.
  • Be able to wear the appropriate and required personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, gloves, face mask, reflective vest, and safety harnesses for long periods of time as required in the performance of specific duties as required by the industry.
  • Must be able to work in confined spaces or at heights up to 35’.
  • Must be able to work indoors or outdoors, in variable weather conditions and both hot and cold temperatures.
  • Must be able to work in an environment containing hazards that include sharp objects, moving equipment, trip hazards, and uneven surfaces.
  • Must maintain focus and productivity in a noisy classroom, lab, or workplace.
Emotional/Behavioral
  • Emotional stability is sufficient to maintain composure in stressful situations and assume responsibility/accountability for actions.
  • Ability to demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic.
  • Adapt rapidly to changing environments and/or stress.
  • Calmly receive feedback.
  • Demonstrate honesty and integrity beyond reproach.
  • Demonstrate flexibility to calmly change course in the middle of an assignment.

 

In the case of an otherwise qualified individual with a documented disability, appropriate and reasonable accommodations will be made unless doing so would fundamentally alter the essential training elements, cause undue hardship, or produce a direct threat to the safety of the patient or student.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is invested in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Support Services is part of Student Services and is located in the K. Ray Bailey Student Services Center. For detailed information or to request accommodations visit Support Services. An appointment is recommended prior to enrollment in order to discuss any special concerns.