The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced this week that N.C. State University has been named one of the eight new OSHA Training Institute Education Centers in the United States.

The OTI Education Center will be operated by the Industrial Extension Service, part of the College of Engineering at NC State. Many of the courses have been offered for years by IES to North Carolina business and industry.

N.C. State was selected through a national competition based on occupational safety and health experience, continuing education background, classroom and laboratory availability, and the ability to provide training throughout the southeast region of the United States.

"We're thrilled to be selected," said Wendy Laing, program director and IES specialist in health and safety. The OSHA staff commended N.C. State for the training facilities at the McKimmon Center and the experience of IES and the Ergonomics Center with North Carolina industry.

The OTI Education Center will provide OSHA education to private sector and federal personnel. Laing expects participants will come from construction firms, manufacturing, state agencies such as the N.C. Department of Transportation, community colleges – and any organization that wants someone on staff to help them stay OSHA compliant.

North Carolina professionals no longer have to go out-of-state for the OSHA training. NC State expects to attract participants from throughout the South.

N.C. Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry noted in her support of NC State's bid: "With a large and growing commercial/industrial base in North Carolina and the southeastern United States, we are faced with an ever growing work force. We at NCDOL are strong advocates of supporting our work force with education, training and technical support while fostering an atmosphere of cooperation with our business and industrial community.

"Adding an OTI Education Center would provide another powerful tool for our employers and their employees to maintain safe and healthful work environments."

OSHA provides no funding to the education centers. OSHA training is supported through normal tuition and fee structures.