Starting in the fall, West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) will offer Brooke High School juniors an opportunity to take welding courses while in high school and graduate with an associate’s degree in applied science by the time they finish their senior year in high school.
Brooke students can take the classes during the last 90 minutes of the school day, and two of the welding courses must be taken in the summer between the student’s junior and senior year in high school. The welding courses will be at the welding labs at Brooke High School.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Brooke students to get the education and training they need from college courses while in high school,” commented WVNCC President, Dr. Vicki Riley. “We are excited to partner with Brooke High School and work with their students to meet the needs of our region in this growing industry.”
Students in the WVNCC welding program will weld plate and pipe in various processes in all positions to meet American Welding Society standards. All technical courses in the program provide extensive hands-on experience. Students will have a broad-based foundation in welding that includes shielded metal arc welding, tungsten inert gas welding and metal inert gas welding. Safety, selection of proper equipment, selection of appropriate filler materials and proper weld techniques are stressed throughout the curriculum. In addition, students will be trained in reading prints with welding symbols and will have a basic understanding of metallurgy, layout and fabrication.
“This new program allows Brooke High School students the exposure to our first-rate welding program,” added Larry Tackett, WVNCC vice president of economic and workforce development. “Upon graduation, students will be equipped with advanced welding skills and qualified candidates for a career as a welder.”
Brooke High School students interested in the program can call Brooke High School at 304-527-1410 for more information.
West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded and accomplished workforce that successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The college responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service.
