Welding program meetings planned

By Staff
Kim West
Local job seekers will have the opportunity to learn in-demand skills with the introduction of welding programs at the city and county technical schools this fall.
"When school let out in the spring, students weren't sure if there would be welding classes this fall," said Susan Hargett, director of Franklin County Community Education. "It's important to let everyone know that we're having these classes, and we would like to get 30 students in the county schools and at least 15 in the city schools.
"We'll probably have some night and weekend classes, but we will need to see how many people are interested."
Hargett said there is an immediate need for more welders locally, especially with the addition of the 1,800-employee National Alabama Corp. railcar plant, which is expected to open early next year at the Barton Industrial Park in Colbert County.
"This program is a good way for people to enhance themselves," Hargett said. "There's a tremendous need for welders in this area because of satellite places located near the county, such as the railcar plant in the Barton area, and local companies including G&G Steel, TVA and numerous little shops."
The welding program, which will be funded through an Appalachian grant and taught by instructors at Northwest-Shoals Community College, will hold two interest meetings this week in Franklin County.
"One meeting is at the Red Bay High School cafeteria at 6 p.m. Monday, July 21, and the other meeting is Thursday, July 24 at 1 p.m. at the Russellville City Schools Board of Education," said FCCE secretary Deb Jones. "These meetings are for adults, high school students and anyone that can take college-level classes.
"If they can't come a meeting, they can call our office and we can mail information about the program."
For more information, call FCCE at 331-0005.