Biomedical Engineering Technology Apprenticeship Launches at Howard Community College

Columbia, MD – Howard Community College (HCC) will launch Maryland’s first-ever biomedical engineering technology apprenticeship program, which offers students the opportunity to work full time while pursuing an in-demand career. Applications are now available, with a best consideration date of April 17.

Biomedical equipment technicians (BMET) install, maintain, and repair medical equipment used in hospitals, clinics, and other patient care locations. Most BMETs work for hospitals and equipment manufacturers, testing, adjusting, and repairing a wide array of medical and clinical devices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for BMET professions is expected to grow up to six percent nationwide by 2028.

“This program is a win-win for our students as well as area employers,” said Minah Woo, associate vice president of continuing education and workforce development at HCC. “After students become apprentices, they are paid for the time they spend on the job, helping them reduce student debt, while also gaining work experience with guaranteed employment. The employer gains a well-trained new hire who has also attained a clear understanding of what their organization does.”

The BMET apprenticeship is a three-year program. Students will begin with a pre-apprenticeship series of courses in the summer and fall of 2020, while they seek full-time employment in the field. The apprenticeship curriculum, which will begin in the winter session of 2021, will include 46 academic credits and 2,000 annual hours of on-the-job training. At the conclusion of the program, students will earn an associate of applied science.

To apply for the BMET apprenticeship, students must be 18 years or older by the start of the program, have a high school diploma or GED, be ready for college-level English and mathematics, be able to lift 50 pounds, and work in the United States. Students also need to have a valid driver’s license and good driving record or access to reliable transportation.

A special BMET apprenticeship information session will be held Tuesday, February 25. It will take place from 6–7 p.m. in the Science, Engineering, and Technology Building, room 101.

The BMET apprenticeship is the fourth apprenticeship program developed at Howard Community College. Other apprenticeships are available in the fields of construction management; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration; and information technology.