The Coffeyville Community College (CCC), Columbus Technical Campus in conjunction with Baxter Springs High School (BSHS) is bringing its Welding Program to the BSHS campus beginning August 2016. CCC currently provides welding training at its Coffeyville Technical Campus and CCC Columbus Technical Campus. This expansion will add 24 part-time welding training slots at the BSHS campus. High school juniors and seniors from Baxter Springs, Riverton and Galena high schools will have the opportunity to enroll in dual credit classes, earning both high school and college credits.

“Students can graduate with not only their high school diploma, but earn a college Welding Certificate with industry recognized welding certifications. This can be a game changer for students, giving them welding skills for immediately employment,” states Cindy Harrold, CCC Columbus Campus Director.
 
David Pendergraft, BSHS Superintendent adds, “I couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Coffeyville Community College on this project.  This partnership will not only allow great opportunities for our students, but will help students in area districts as well. Hopefully, this welding program will be another great example of the types of programs we can offer our students to help prepare them for a career beyond graduation.”

This expansion project is market driven, helping to train welders to meet the area’s workplace shortages. Student will earn certifications not only for jobs locally, but will receive the pipefitting credentials to ensure portability for completers willing to travel nationally. Students will receive welding training in four different certified welding processes: (SMAW) Shield Metal Arc Welding, (GMAW) Gas Metal Arc Welding, (FCAW) Flux Core Arc Welding and (GTAW) Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and earn their OSHA 10 certification. CCC Columbus Campus will offer strong oversite of the new program, helped by veteran welder and CCC Columbus Technical Campus Instructor, Todd Madl.

“Students who complete the welding program will be TIG, Stick, MIG, and Flux Cored Arc Welding certified pipe welders,” states Madl. “These certifications will allow students right out of high school to pass job-site industry welding tests both regionally and across the nation.”

The program will also use Workkeys assessments allowing students to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) to promote industry recognized essential skills.

CCC Columbus Campus currently serves post-secondary students and provides dual credit technical training to 8 area high schools including: Baxter, Riverton, Galena, Chetopa, Oswego, Columbus, Southeast, and Girard. Training programs include: Automotive Service, Collision Repair, Construction Technology, Business and Computer and Welding Technology. For information on the technical training coming to Baxter Springs or training available at the CCC Columbus Technical Campus of Coffeyville Community College, call 620-429-3896.