STAR Center is pleased to announce enhancements and changes to its engineering professional development courses.

Under the guidance of STAR Center's new engine department head, Chief Engineer Allen Howard, and staff, STAR Center has undertaken a significant effort to update the content and delivery of several professional development courses. The result will upgrade the skills of AMO's engineers by providing continued professional development through courses that are relevant, practical and provide training for today's real-world requirements. The effort represents one more example of STAR Center's enduring commitment to high-quality maritime training programs.

New STAR Center Engineering PD courses

Electrical and Instrumentation Troubleshooting: This five-day professional development course will provide an opportunity to refine troubleshooting skills directed towards motor controllers, fire systems, engine automation, cargo systems, and electrical components. Applying this knowledge, students will demonstrate the practical application of the above listed skills. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications. This course replaces STAR Center's two-week Basic Electricity (Professional Development) course.

Control Systems Troubleshooting: This five-day professional development course will provide an opportunity to refine troubleshooting skills directed towards control systems, including but not limited to: automation, PID tuning, PLCs, and other electrical components. Applying this knowledge, students will demonstrate the practical application of the above listed skills. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications. This course replaces STAR Center's two-week Marine Controls and Instrumentation (Professional Development) course.

The following courses replace STAR Center's two-week Welding (Professional Development)

• Welding 1: This five-day professional development course will provide an opportunity to refine individual welding skills in the following disciplines, including but not limited to: bead on plate, flat, horizontal, vertical, and MIG welding. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications.
• Welding 2: This five-day professional development course will provide an opportunity to refine individual welding skills in the following disciplines, including but not limited to: overhead welding, pipe welding, TIG welding, and carbon arc gouging. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements. NOTE: Welding 1 must be successfully completed as a prerequisite for entry into Welding 2.

The following courses replace STAR Center's two-week Machine Shop (Professional Development)

• Machine Shop 1: This five-day professional development course will provide an opportunity to refine individual machine shop skills in the following disciplines, including but not limited to: setup and operation of lathes, milling machines, and drill presses. Applying this knowledge, students will fabricate multiple machined projects. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications.
• Machine Shop 2: This five-day professional development course will build upon individual machine shop skills from Machine Shop 1. Students will plan and fabricate multiple advanced machine projects. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications. NOTE: Machine Shop 1 must be successfully completed as a prerequisite for entry into Machine Shop 2.

Refrigeration: The existing five-day Refrigeration (Professional Development) course has been revised. This course will now provide an opportunity to refine refrigeration and HVAC skills, including but not limited to: operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, recovery; charging, evacuation, soldering, and brazing. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications.

Hydraulics/Pneumatics: This course provides knowledge in the operation and troubleshooting of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment. Directed towards: design features, component operation, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and safe working conditions. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): This course provides an opportunity to refine Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs) knowledge; including familiarization with technical details supporting safety, selection, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of PLCs. This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications.

Engineering Operations Training and Assessment Program: This course will provide an opportunity to sharpen individual watchstanding and watchkeeping skills and will include a general engineering operations and Behavioral Competency Assessment (BCA). This course does not meet any requirements for STCW certification or other endorsements or certifications.

Any questions regarding these courses should be directed to Allen Howard, Head, Engineering, at 800-942-3220 Ext. 7803 or .

STAR Center's course general schedule can be accessed at www.star-center.com/schedule.html. The course schedule for AMO members and applicants is also available online. Enrollment questions or applications should be directed to Student Services at 1-800-942-3220 Ext. 201 or .