Trades & Manufacturing
Explore new horizons in your career with Iowa Western’s Continuing Education classes in Trades & Manufacturing.
Some of the classes at Iowa Western Continuing Education include:
Available Courses
Fee $100 You need a current CDL to enroll in the course.
Individuals who wish to add a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H) onto their current CDL license will need to complete this course before you are permitted to take their knowledge test for hazardous materials. Upon completion of this course the results will be submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
This course is 100% online and can be taken any place, anytime.
**Additional requirements to an H endorsement (background check, fingerprinting, etc.) are not provided by IWCC**
Class will meet from 8 am – 4pm Tuesday
The course will define basic electrical theory. In combination with Ohms law, we will define voltage, amperage, resistance, and wattage. Learn how each defined unit reacts when wired in series or parallel and prove it with hands on meter readings. We will then troubleshoot electrical circuits using what we have learned. Students are encouraged to bring their own electrical meter.
May 19-Sept 3, 2026 Tues/Thurs 6:00p – 9:00p. Iowa Western Community College 2120 23rd Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Students will perform welds utilizing a combination of GMAW/MIG & SMAW (STICK welding) on multiple projects in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. As the class progresses, students will be introduced to several different electrodes as well as electrode sizes. With new electrodes/sizes, students will gain the knowledge of how to adjust settings for each, as well as for what position. Students will have the opportunity to attempt AWS certifications at the end of this course. Students will be briefly introduced to FCAW during this course.
**There will be no class or Tues, June 23rd AND Thurs, June 25th.
Class Sessions | June 8 – July 6 | Mondays & Wednesdays | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Council Bluffs Center Looft Hall Room 023
Live Service | July 8 – July 15 | Mondays & Wednesdays | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM TBD
Turn your passion for food into a business on wheels! This hands-on course covers everything you need to launch and operate a successful food truck — from business planning and licensing to menu development, food costing, and customer service. Classroom instruction at Iowa Western Community College sets the foundation, then you'll put your skills to the test during live service sessions where real customers are served and real operations are managed. Whether you've been dreaming about owning a food truck or just want to explore the industry, this course gives you the knowledge and experience to hit the streets with confidence.
This class will be held on Th. June 11, 2026 9AM-3:30 PM at Kinney Hall. This forklift training course provides hands-on instruction and practical knowledge to safely operate and maintain forklifts in various workplace environments. Participants will learn essential skills such as maneuvering, load handling, and adherence to safety regulations to ensure efficient and accident-free operations.
Class will meet from 8 am – 4pm Tuesday
In this course we will learn the difference between AC and DC by introducing Inductance into a circuit. We will define an inductor and the role it plays in AC circuits. Transition into 3 phase power, how it is generated and why we use it. Learn different 3 phase load configurations, as well as the role of transformers in AC and how they step up or down the voltage. Students are encouraged to bring their own electrical meter.
This Iowa Basic Refresher course is designed for individuals who have previously completed the NPGA/PERC Basic Principles & Practices course or other initial propane training. It provides renewal training for those holding this certification and fulfills refresher training requirements for Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri.
Course Format
• Lecture & Training Videos
• Written exam
• Hands-on skills assessment
Materials (not required)
• NFPA 58 and NFPA 54 (participants may bring their own or purchase copies) go to nfpa.org
Tues & Thurs 10am -12pm Co Bluffs Campus Kinney Hall 153
This industry-recognized study course prepares students to successfully pass the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of federal regulations governing small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) under 14 CFR Part 107, which applies to drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
The course covers airspace classification, weather, flight operations, safety procedures, and regulatory requirements for commercial, educational, recreational, and public safety drone use. This course is ideal for individuals seeking FAA certification to legally operate drones for work or business purposes.
Mon & Wed 10am -12pm Co Bluffs Campus Kinney Hall 153
This comprehensive, hands-on training combines foundational and advanced drone piloting skills into one complete learning experience. Designed for individuals interested in using drones safely and effectively for professional or personal purposes, the course builds confidence from basic operation through advanced flight techniques.
Students will learn how to properly operate, maintain, and navigate UAS equipment and software while applying best practices for safety and compliance. Flight training focuses on maneuvering, positioning, target recognition, and data collection, followed by advanced skills such as hovering, obstacle avoidance, complex environment navigation, and specialized flight techniques.
The course also covers equipment selection, maintenance, and operational considerations for a variety of real-world applications, including inspections, imaging, mapping, and public safety missions.
Class will meet from 8 am – 4pm Tuesday
This course will combine industrial controls symbols and diagrams with hands-on wiring. Students will learn how to interpret wiring diagrams by wiring circuits. Circuits include a latching relay, forward motor starter, and forward/reversing motor starter along with the 3-phase component. Students are encouraged to bring small terminal screw drivers, wire strippers, wire cutters, and an electrical meter.
Refunds: You may cancel your registration 5 business days prior to the start of the class date and receive a 100% refund excluding the $50 non-refundable processing fee. If contacting outside Iowa Western Community College’s Continuing Education Department business hours, leave a voicemail and or send the department an email. Iowa Western’s Continuing Education is not responsible for refunds if contact is not pursued via voicemail and or email. In compliance with the IWCC policy, refunds will only be produced in the form of a check. A check will be issued within 14 business days after the refund is admitted to the customer. Refund will be sent to the customer’s address that is on file. Certain program restrictions may apply. Contact Continuing Education for more details at ce@iwcc.edu.
Cancellations: Iowa Western reserves the right to cancel any class where difficulties arise in staffing or scheduling or where a minimum enrollment is not achieved. A full refund will be issued for all canceled classes.
Transfers/Withdrawals: Transfers may be subject to $25.00 transfer fee. Non-attendance for a class does not constitute a withdrawal and refunds are not issued for non-attendance. Transfers may be made up to two full business days (unless otherwise noted in the class information) prior to the start date of the class. After that time, transfers will not be permitted and no refund will be issued.


