$6.2M upgrade of RHS welding facility continues

R U S S E L LV I L L E – Work on a $6.2 million upgrade of the Russellville High School welding department building is scheduled to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.

Martin and Cobey Construction Co in Athens is the contractor for the project, said Alan Wilson, who is Transportation and Maintenance supervisor for Russellville City Schools.

RHS has a long tradition of welding instruction, having offered the program for more than 50 years since 1968, when Leaborn McCarley was the first welding instructor. Before 1968, the school included welding instruction as part of the agriculture curriculum.

Aaron Paden, AWS certified welder and welding instructor for both RHS and Northwest Shoals Community College, said the renovations are expected to be completed by August.

In the interim, students are currently traveling daily to the Franklin County Career Technical Center in Belgreen, which limits the amount of time they have to practice their skills, Paden said.

The first-year welding coach said the interruptions will be worth the wait once students get back into the upgraded facility. Each welding booth will have its own ventilation, Paden said, a stark contrast to the old system where smoke would fill up the shop as there was only one fan to pull all the smoke down.

“This will be safer,” Paden said of the upgrades. “There will be less smoke for the kids to breathe in. There will be a bigger area to allow for more students, and it will include a bigger and better classroom.”

PROGRAM’S IMPACT

“Welding is currently one of our largest programs,” said Dr. AnnaKay Holland, Career and Technical Education (CTE) director for Russellville City Schools. “Once our new facility opens, we will have a state-of theart welding facility.”

Holland said RHS has “an outstanding welding department,” noting the program represents a “strategic investment in workforce development and student success.”

Holland said RHS instructors do an “exceptional job” in equipping students with in-demand skills for various industries and preparing them for entry-level jobs or apprenticeships.

“Our students gain hands-on skills that can be used across many industries,” Holland noted, “including construction, manufacturing, automotive and infrastructure.

“By partnering with Northwest Shoals Community College, students gain both dual enrollment credit for welding courses and gain invaluable industry certifications,” she added. “Graduates of our program consistently secure well-paying positions in manufacturing, construction and specialized fabrication, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in creating a direct pipeline from education to meaningful employment.”

PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP – RHS senior Coltan Oliver gets in welding practice at the Franklin County Career Technical Center in Belgreen.

Senior Coltan Oliver, who has been in the RHS welding program since his sophomore year, has taken full advantage of all the program has offered. He’s already an AWS certified welder in FCAW (flux-cored arc welding), and he’s made his mark in competitions as well..

“I like that welding is a trade,” Oliver said. “I can learn to have something to do in life to support myself well. I picked it up real easy. I was always natural and good at it.”

Oliver’s plans include finishing a college welding degree.

“I took a class over the summer that got my first certification, AWS certification, a staterecognized standard for welding,” Oliver continued. “For a lot of jobs, you can’t go to them without this.”

The certification is issued by the American Welding society.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Oliver added. “I have two classes left to be done with everything high school classes offer.”

Paden said Oliver’s accomplishments represent major accomplishments.

“In my career of teaching welding, Coltan is like a five-star general compared to most of these kids,” Paden said.

Oliver’s awards so far include several first and second place wins at competitions, including those held at Haleyville, Lawrence County and NWSCC from November 2022 through March 21.

Fellow RHS senior Elliott Green has been in the program for three years.

“It gives me real-life skills I can use in the real world,” Green said. “I want to own my own dirt business and own equipment.”

Green explained having welding skills will allow him to be able to fix his own equipment.

“I’ve learned a lot of skills,” he added. “This will help me do what I want faster and save money.”

Another RHS senior, Brennon Thorpe, has also been in the program for three years.

“I’ve been to some competitions and won two of them, both in cutting,” Thorpe explained, noting he finds welding to be “rewarding” and a good way to help him get ready for and explore future career options.

PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP – RHS junior Gerardo Marchant runs a cutting torch and prepares metal for welding.

PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP – RHS junior Juan Tasej runs a cutting torch and prepares metal for welding.