Instructors at WETC

Bob Topping

Program Director

Dr. Robert "Bob" Topping has joined the WETC team in August of 2006 to coordinate programs. Through the guidance of industry and the WETC Board of Directors, Dr. Topping will help develop, organize and implement broad-based, energy-related training programs at WETC. "We are extremely grateful that Dr. Topping decided to join our team, he is the complete package" said WETC Director Steven Burge. Because of Dr. Topping's incredible background in industry and education, together with his substantial experience with other successful training programs, he will be a great asset for WETC and CEU.

Before joining the WETC team, Dr. Topping served in the capacity as Department Chair and Campus Administrator for the Wilsonville Training Center (WTC) a satellite campus of Clackamas Community College in Oregon. During his tenure at WTC, he developed training programs, administered partnership requirements, managed student and collegiate services, and supervised operations of the campus.

Through the collaboration of the Center's partners, Dr. Topping was instrumental at the Wilsonville Training Center in developing a 'corporate university model', which has received national attention. Dr. Topping not only brings 14 years of experience educating at the collegiate level, he also brings 26 years of hands-on-experience in the construction industry. While working in construction, he held positions such as: Apprentice Field Trainer, Foreman, Supervisor, and Field Superintendent. Dr. Topping earned his Bachelor's degree from Portland State University and his Master's and Doctorate from Oregon State University. His Doctoral dissertation in Education addressed learning environments, career education, and workforce development specifically for the energy industry. Within his dissertation his study focused on the community college's role in the learning processes, design features, and major issues that affect workforce development and career succession planning.

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