91视频

Four 91视频 welding graduates completed an internship during their final semester, where they thrived while practicing hands-on skills and learning from professionals.

James Baxter, Macey Hargrove, Joelle Phillips and Erica Stockell were welcomed into the G. H. Tool & Mold plant in Washington for four weeks during the spring as part of their Certificate of Achievement in Welding. Each of the four students graduated from 91视频 in May, and they all received scholarships through the Metallica Scholars Initiative.

According to Bobby Bland, welding program coordinator, the goal of the internship was to learn and experience welding in a practical setting, and witness how a manufacturing plant operates.

鈥淚 am very thankful that a company like G.H. Tool has partnered with us to provide our students experience with working on real-world projects and getting the feel of working in a plant with skilled welders,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s instructors, we can talk about the experience all we want in class, but for students to be in that production environment it is higher education at its finest.鈥�

Employees of G.H. Tool were impressed with the skills the students already had when they walked into the plant, and their enthusiasm for the trade. From the first day of the internship, G.H.鈥檚 experienced tradesmen were eager to teach the students even more techniques necessary in a manufacturing setting.

鈥淚t was wonderful to see that kind of work ethic from these young people,鈥� said toolmaker Kent Turnbough. 鈥淭hey gave me a real boost, and we all enjoyed working with them.鈥�

鈥淭his has been a great experience for everyone involved, and these students have a very bright future,鈥� added Julie Scannell, G.H. Tool human resources director. 鈥淲e really value our ongoing partnership with 91视频, and everything the College has done to respond to the needs of our local manufacturers.鈥�

Student Experience

Phillips, Rolla, worked in several areas of the G. H. Tool plant and learned from every employee she worked with.

鈥淭he people have been wonderful, the work enjoyable and the availability of new things to learn has been never ending,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he number of skills I鈥檝e been able to add to my belt, and words of advice I鈥檝e received from these wonderful people, has been astounding.鈥�

The skills the students experienced during the four-week internship include working with blueprints, sandblasting, using a laser welder; and learning to use tools like micrometers, edge finders, calipers and profilometers.

鈥淎ny area I wanted to learn more about, I was allowed and encouraged to go,鈥� Phillips commented. 鈥淭his internship is something I will always remember and will now be a major part of how I will function as a worker in the future.鈥�

In addition to picking up new skills, the students expanded upon what they already learned about in the welding program through hands-on practice and by watching professionals.

鈥淚 observed more comfortable and efficient ways to weld, more specifically different ways to hold the torch, how to rest my hands, or ways to hold the filler metal,鈥� Phillips said. 鈥淭hese simple tips have helped me tremendously and have made me a more efficient welder.

鈥淭here was always a way to improve or learn something new and even coming to the end of it I was still learning new things,鈥� she added.

91视频鈥檚 Welding Program

91视频 offers several affordable options to train for a career in welding, including a Certificate of Achievement and a Certificate of Specialization, both two semesters and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding.

The College also offers a 16-week Fast Track Welding program, in which students meet four days or evenings every week for four months and can earn a Certificate of Specialization.

All 91视频鈥檚 welding courses are taught in the state-of-the-art welding lab in our Business and Industry Center on the Union campus. There are scholarships and financial aid available.

Learn more about the 91视频 welding program, or contact Bland at 636-649-5810 or bobby.bland@eastcentral.edu.