At a recent board meeting, Flathead Valley Community College trustees were briefed on a new plan to train welders on the Libby campus for consideration for employment by Stinger Welding Inc.

Pat Pezzelle, director of extended learning, told trustees the college is building a 10-station portable unit for training 20 students every 10 weeks.

Also at the meeting, Chris Hanchett, business instructor and program director, reported on program development at the Center for Community Entrepreneurship Education.

Funded by a $268,231 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the project has increased enrollment in principles of marketing courses by 194 percent and in entrepreneurship courses by 177 percent since spring 2008.

Enrollment increased 23 percent from fall 2009 in the Entrepreneurship Certificate of Applied Science and Small Business Management Associate of Applied Science online programs .

Trustees heard from Patti Gregerson, Flathead Building Association executive director, about a partnership with the college to create an entrepreneurial realities seminar for distressed builders, contractors and related businesses.

Funded by the Coleman Foundation and Parkside Federal Credit Union, the seminar is planned for the spring and fall of 2011.

Under action items at the meeting, the board approved the college’s accreditation objectives and initiatives and adopted amendments to the employee retirement savings plan. 

The next regular meeting takes place Jan. 24 at 3:45 p.m. in Blake Hall on the Kalispell campus.