Career College Central

Subscribe at careercollegecentral.com 35 If the name of the game this year is adaptability, Triangle Tech has made some ambitious strides in that direction. As schools nationwide grapple with how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic—and still offer their students the education and hands-on training they need—Triangle Tech has made some big changes both on campus and in the virtual space. Founded in 1944, Triangle Tech is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and today offers five trade programs at six campuses across Pennsylvania. As a school that was established with a focus on the importance of hands-on education, they had not put much of an emphasis on building virtual systems to support their programs. But that all changed, of course, earlier this year, when a viral pandemic swept across the globe and forced countless programs, systems, and processes online. Tim McMahon, Triangle Tech's president and chief operating officer, commends the staff at all six locations for their work in transitioning some of their curricula—as well as support services from campus tours and admissions to enrollment and financial aid—online as quickly as possible. Getting online McMahon, who has managed the school since 1972, admits that the transition online was an unexpected one for him, who has long appreciated the face-to- face, in-person, hands-on experience at Triangle Tech. But it seems like many of the changes they've made are here to stay—and will likely benefit the next generation of Triangle Tech students—and he's excited for the transition. Aer the initial shutdown in response to statewide lockdown mandates early in the year, the school transitioned some courses and services online. ey made sure that all students had Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots. Two instructors trained everyone in using the Google platform and Zoom video conferencing. While they returned to 100 percent in-person services over the summer, they're now in a hybrid model as COVID-19 continues to cause problems nationwide. No matter what the future holds, school staff are finding that some things actually work better this way. McMahon says that the admissions process, for one thing, is much more effective in an online environment. Students are oen more comfortable (and more prompt) when completing an admissions interview via videoconference rather than in person (which requires additional time to commute or to perhaps sit in a waiting room). Creating success What else does McMahon see in the future of career training institutions? Changes are taking place on the ground too, as Triangle Tech strives to support their students both inside and outside of the classroom. One program that McMahon is particularly excited about is a grab-and-go lunch option for students on campus. e lunches offer a solution for busy students and for students who may be faced with a tighter food budget as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. With the new program, students don't have to bear the extra responsibility of preparing that meal ahead of time, risk not eating at all, or worry about having to maintain physical distancing practices. Plus, Triangle Tech is able to support those local restaurants, who are likewise struggling during this pandemic, with regular lunch orders. is shi we're experiencing is also an opportunity to keep trying new things, McMahon says. e circumstances of 2020 have forced schools to do something different, and there is definitely a silver lining to be found there. Instructors, students, and administrators who were previously hesitant—or even reluctant—to shi their work or their services to an online space even just six months ago are now realizing the benefits of virtual education. It's also

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