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Accelerated Welding To Begin at WVNCC
Posted 04/06/16The high demand for skilled welders in the workplace has prompted West Virginia Northern Community College to schedule a non-credit accelerated welding program to begin May 9.
Dr. David Shahan, vice president of economic and workforce development, and Karri Mulhern, director of economic and workforce development, announced the new non-credit program in welding will join the Welding Technology degree program.
The new program on the Wheeling campus will be offered in an accelerated format in two sessions. Session 1, Basic Structural Welding, will be held from May 9-June 30 for four days a week, 10-hour days. Session 2, Advanced Structural and Pipe Welding, will be held from July 5-Aug. 15 for five days a week, 10-hour days. After the training, students have the opportunity to receive multiple certifications in structural and pipe welding.
Shahan said, “West Virginia Northern takes seriously its obligation and responsibility to continue to develop new career technical programs providing career pathways to students, giving them the opportunity to effectively transition to the workforce.”
For more information, contact Shahan at 304-214-8967 or Mulhern at 304-214-8975.
David Raveaux, welding instructional specialist/program director, said, “On average, a fabrication shop welder has a salary of $30,000-$50,000 and a construction welder has a range from $40,000-$80,000 a year. This course should interest displaced workers who want to learn a new skilled trade and companies that would like to improve their current employees’ skills set.”
Raveaux pointed out that unemployed workers may be able to receive funds to return to school for the welding program through state and local Workforce agencies.
He added, “This program’s long 10-hour days were designed to help prepare the students for current workforce demands.” Raveaux also noted that if graduates of the new program wish to earn an associate degree in welding, they may apply up to 30 credits in welding toward that degree.
4/6/16
