<p> PRESS RELEASE</p><p>For Immediate Release Contact: Frances Squire Sept. 22, 2009 Phone: (559) 934-2134 or 250-6389</p><p>WHCC instructor Merlin Welch wins national award</p><p>Merlin Welch has been recognized as Contractor of the Year by the Land Improvement Contractors of America for his leadership role in the 50-year old national association and in educating students to fill employment needs of the industry.</p><p>The award was presented at the LICA annual winter meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, last month.</p><p>The West Hills College Coalinga instructor has served as 2009 president of the California chapter of LICA. He has also served on the organization’s national board for the last five years as the West Coast Region 8 vice president.</p><p>He heads the heavy equipment program at the college where he has worked for over 25 years educating a generation of students who come from all over the country. Students learn the latest techniques in equipment operation; maintenance and repair; surveying and use of GPS equipment; and information on the history and future of the construction industry.</p><p>Working with LICA and area industry leaders, Welch assists students in helping them find industry jobs. He also works with the industry to make sure that students are getting the most current training possible.</p><p>Industry partnerships allow WHCC to offer training on crawlers, tractors, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, motor graders, trucks and laser controlled equipment. </p><p>Students study laying ditches, contours, land location, measurements, calculation of the area, land leveling, establishing cut, calculating areas and yardage, setting up laser transmitters and surveying with laser systems.</p><p>Cost of the program is less than $400 a student for in-state students in the 12-week program. ###</p><p>West Hills Community College District serves the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and is part of the California Community College System. Its two colleges, West Hills College Coalinga, which includes North District Center, Firebaugh, and West Hills College Lemoore, serve more than 7,000 students on campus and online each semester.</p>