Who Are We?

The Cerritos College Plastics Manufacturing Department (PMT) was established in 1974 and designed as a means to provide a "state-of-the-art" plastics manufacturing technology program for students intending to work in commercial manufacturing companies. Our department serves the needs of those who are "new to the technology" as well as for those "experienced professionals who wish to broaden their knowledge to remain competitive in the global business environment. This department specializes in training and re-training in industries and specializations that include: Aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, aircraft repair, automotive, civil engineering, medical products, Marine, sporting goods, quality, nondestructive testing and electrical. Cerritos College, considered by many industry professionals as one of the premier training centers, serves a student profile of primarily working professionals between the ages of 25-38 seeking current training in the plastic and composite industries. The PMT Center has established the following goals:

• To increase the awareness of plastics and composites technology usage in commercial applications
• Encourage and foster the development of new products
• Provide access to information networks, resources and consortium contact
• Train future company personnel in plastics and composite techniques
• Expand new manufacturing jobs for, and continued education of, an otherwise potentially displaced worker through specialized technical assistance programs, workshops and seminars, including "hands-on" manufacturing training and workforce enhancement training.

This Center specializes in "hands-on"training with primary focus being practical application of developed skills and knowledge as opposed to traditional theory-based classes. Technical training programs are contracted through our departments for both public ad corporate entities. Additionally, the departments provide technical training for several major international companies.

The departments have the distinction of being the only public institution in the State of California offering a full Degree Program in Composites and Manufacturing with related classes in both thermoset and thermoplastics. The Composites program curriculum includes: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP), gel coating and laminating, Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), vacuum bagging, infusion processes, testing and evaluation, tooling and mold construction. The Plastics program offers curriculum i thermoplastic processing processes, identification, and recycling. Resent offerings include innovative programs designed for the Spanish speaker to acquire English in a vocational setting (Vocational English as a Second Language). Our programs measure success in the number of individual certificates, specialty certificates, A.A Plastics Manufacturing, Composites Manufacturing, and Tool Design and Inspection A.A. degrees awarded to the students qualifying their competence in the hi-tech industry skills.