SPC Announces Boom Lift Certification

St. Philip’s College is proud to announce the launch of a Boom Lift Certification program, offering students in skilled workforce trades an opportunity to enhance their credentials and workplace readiness through industry-recognized training.

The certification, which aligns with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, demonstrates a student’s ability to safely operate mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), such as boom lifts and scissor lifts.

The inaugural cohort began in the summer 2025 semester, with participants from the college’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program. Students from the Allied Construction Trades and Diesel Technology programs are also eligible to participate in the training, which is offered at no cost to students.

Before hands-on instruction begins, students complete a rigorous online training provided by JLG, a leading manufacturer of access equipment. The program is led by staff members Daniel Giddens and Joseph Robledo and includes practical experience using brand-new machinery. The college’s equipment inventory includes the JLG 450AJ Articulating Boom Lift and the JLG ES1932 Scissor Lift.

“All of our programs have a safety component embedded into the curriculum that fits nicely with the JLG course content,” said Dr. Joseph Kulhanek, Chair of the Allied Construction Trades department. “The students must complete online modules that prepare them to operate the equipment in a safe manner. Once this portion has been completed, they then become eligible to demonstrate their skills on the actual equipment. Having both certifications on their resume makes them valuable to future employers.”

St. Philip’s College continues to expand its workforce training options in response to industry needs, giving students the certifications and skills to succeed in today’s competitive job market.