(Dallas, Ga. – Oct. 22, 2014) One of the most popular technical programs at Chattahoochee Technical College will have an additional home in January. The Welding and Joining Technology Program, which was originally offered only at the Appalachian Campus in Jasper, will begin classes at the Paulding Campus during Spring Semester 2015. In this expansion that has been designed to provide students with better access to a mainstay program, Chattahoochee Technical College will essentially double the number of students who can enroll in this program of study.
“Welding continues to be one of the top programs in terms of career opportunities,” said Chattahoochee Technical College Associate Dean of Technical Studies Shane Evans. “In looking at the needs of employers and those of our students, this expansion makes sense and continues in fulfilling the mission of the college to communities it serves by developing a highly skilled workforce.”
The Welding and Joining Technology program includes training in shielding metal arc, oxyacetylene, tungsten inert gas, metallic inert gas, oxyfuel gas cutting, plasma arc cutting and gouging. Students learn about metals, electrodes and filler materials. In addition to classroom training, major emphasis is placed on the development of welding skills through actual hands-on practice. A full-time student who needs no preparatory coursework in English, math or reading and maintains satisfactory progress can complete the Welding and Joining Technology Diploma in four semesters. The program is offered at the diploma level and requires 50 credit hours for graduation.
Heading up the program at the Paulding Campus will be Jordan Hunter, who began working as a maintenance welder at the age of 18. The son of a man who owned his own welding business, Hunter has grown up in the industry.
“I did maintenance welding for a little over 7 years, production welding for a year, and machining for 3 years,” said Hunter. “In this time I have had the opportunity to work in several different environments with different types of metal and materials. I have learned different types of processes and preformed various types of welds in this time that have help develop my skill set and knowledge in the field. Hands on learning has been very beneficial to me, and that’s how I plan to help others.”
The 2009 graduate of Chattahoochee Technical College said he feels that having a new lab at the Paulding Campus will be a huge benefit to the community. Additionally, the demand for welders continues to grow. In 2010 The American Welding Society predicted the demand for skilled welders in the United States alone may outpace supply by 200,000 individuals, and this trend will grow by about 20 percent in the next few years. According to Hunter, this means Chattahoochee Tech students are entering a dynamic industry with more than 50 percent of the country’s products requiring welding.
“The campus is in the hub of several counties that have limitless job opportunities for certified welders,” said Hunter. “So being able to better accommodate those students and meet their educational needs around welding and joining technology is going to amplify the amount of careers that can be obtained, generating more economic growth in that area.”
Welding and Joining Technology is one of several programs at Chattahoochee Technical College eligible for the new Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant. Students eligible for the HOPE Grant can receive between $125 and $500 of additional grant money each semester if they qualify. Students who qualify for both grant programs could expect to pay less than $200 of pocket for tuition and fees in some cases out .
But to Hunter there are other benefits that make the program a great choice for students.
“What first interested me about welding is how it sets you apart from other in the work force,” he said. “You have skill set and certifications to back your skill set that many of your peers do not. This is huge advantage in the job market and helps you with a higher paying salary, and a job anywhere you want to move. The job opportunities really are endless.”