Cape Fear Community College will begin offering welding courses at its Burgaw campus this fall.
The expansion of the program–currently only offered at the north campus in Castle Hayne–has been made possible by a $147, 592 grant from Duke Energy. The grant is part of Duke Energy’s $6.7 million investment in N.C. community colleges’ focus on technical education.
John Elliott, Director of East Region Government and Community Relations for Duke Energy, and CFCC president Dr. Ted Spring made the announcement during a press conference today (Thursday) at the college’s Union Station building.
The funds will be used to get certified metal inert gas and tungsten inert gas welding training programs up and running in Pender County, covering the retrofitting of existing space and the purchase of needed equipment.
“The long-term goal is to sustain the needs of residents,” Spring said. “This will help create a pool of qualified workers and help attract industries to our area.”
Welding is already in high demand, north campus lead instructor Mike Taylor noted.
Taylor said his staff had helped place 12 students in jobs after they completed their training. Many of those went to companies, such as Bradford Products and Container Products, right here in the Port City.
Adding the curriculum to Burgaw, he said, would mean more opportunities for area residents to seek gainful, secure employment. Welders in this area typically make $25 per hour, according to Spring.
“We’ve been turning [students] away. Our classes have been filling up and we’ve had to say, ‘Come back next semester, or the semester after that,'” Taylor said. “Now, we’ll be able to take more students, not just in Pender County but those in even Duplin County who now won’t have to drive all the way down here for classes.”
As the longtime Burgaw satellite site continues to revamp and add to its continuing education offerings, director Cindy Ramsey said welding is a perfect fit.
Related story: CFCC’s Burgaw campus to expand course offerings
“It’s absolutely a wonderful opportunity,” she said. “Welding was kind of in my sights all along, but before we just didn’t have the funds.”
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or [email protected].
