Henry Ford College offering help to displaced ITT Tech students
(WJBK) - Another local higher education institute is stepping up after ITT Technical Institute closed its doors, leaving thousands of students unsure what their future holds.
"Our credits don't seem to transfer anywhere so life's been on hold for two years and I have to start it all over again," said nursing student Rebekah Wellman.
On Tuesday, FOX 2 introduced you to some ITT Tech nursing students who just learned their school is closed for good.
"What do we do from here - where do we go next? Who's going to help us? Who's going to take our credits so we don't have to start all over?" said Jennifer Berlanga-Hava, who is also a nursing student.
On Wednesday, Henry ford College stepped forward with an answer and an offer.
"It's always disappointing obviously but have them call and contact us," said Dr. Stanley Jensen, president of Henry Ford College.
Jensen said the school's nursing program is the oldest in the state and graduates 400 nurses each year. They will work with ITT's former students to place them in the program.
"The nurses will be able to often -- I think -- be able to skip over the pre-nursing and get right into the nursing program if they're already in the nursing program as a displaced student," he said.
The college is reaching out to all of the displaced students -- not just nursing students. They've already heard from 100 students looking for a new school. Unlike ITT Tech, Henry Ford College is not for profit, tuition is low and the school will assign students a counselor to help with financial aid, testing and placement.
"We'll be able to get people into 12 week classes and eight week classes that are still coming up - we haven't started those yet - so those will be great opportunities," Jensen said.
To get in contact with Henry Ford College, call 1-800-585-4322.
According to the college, "Students can complete many of HFC's certification programs six to 12 months. The following is a list of certificates that students can earn in six months at HFC:
Auto Tech-Auto Air Conditioning/Brakes/Alignment Certificate;
Electrical Technology - Basic Electronics Certificate;
CAD Technology/Industrial Drafting/CATIA Certificate;
Energy Technology - Power Engineer 1st & 2nd class;
Steam-Refrigeration License Review Certificate;
Energy Technology/Low Pressure Boiler/Heating Plant Certificate;
Operator Certificate;
Welding Technology Basic Certificate;
CAD Technology/Industrial Drafting/SolidWorks Certificate; and
CAD Technology/Industrial Drafting/UG NX Certificate.
Below is a partial list of certificates that students can earn in 12 months at HFC:
Accounting Technician Certificate;
Advanced Pathways Certificate;
Electrical Technology/Analog Electronics Certificate;
Animation Certificate;
Computer Information Systems (CIS) - Application Developer Certificate;
Computer Information Systems (CIS) - Web Development Certificate;
Electrical Technology/Automation Controls Certificate;
Community Leadership Certificate;
Computer Software Applications Certificate;
Culinary Skills Certificate;
Customer Service Professional Certificate;
Deaf Studies Certificate;
Electrical Technology/Digital Electronics Certificate;
Automotive Technology/Dynamometer Technician Certificate;
Fitness Leadership Certificate;
Hospitality Professional Management Certificate;
Industrial Distribution - Business Concentration Certificate;
Industrial Distribution - Technical Concentration Certificate;
Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate;
Pre-Medical Assistant Certificate;
Medical Receptionist Certificate;
Manufacturing Production Specialist Certificate;
Computer Network Academy/Network Infrastructure Essential Certificate;
Nursing Care Skills Certificate;
Office Administration Certificate;
Office Skills - Fundamental Certificate;
Process Technology - Advanced Certificate;
Process Technology - Basic Certificate;
Energy Technology - Power Engineer/High Pressure Boiler 3rd Class Review;
Energy Technology - Power/Building Engineer Advanced Certificate;
Energy Technology - Renewable Energy Basic Certificate;
Restaurant Service Career Certificate;
Hospitality Service Career Certificate;
Supervision Certificate;
Visual Effects (VFX) for Stage and Screen Certificate;
Welding Technology Certificate; and
Supply Chain Management (SCM) Technician Certificate.