OCTC Launches 8 Week Welding Tech I Initiative
Owensboro, KY (12/16/2020) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) is launching a new accelerated, eight-week Welding Tech I training program for dislocated and under employed workers or individuals looking to re-career beginning January 11, 2021.
Participants will gain valuable welding skills in oxy-fuel systems, gas metal arc welding fillet, and forklift operation that prepare them for jobs with high-wage employers in the region.
Classes run Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. beginning January 11 and concluding March 11, 2021. The Welding Tech I class is a hands-on, competency-based option held in the Industry Innovation Center (IIC) welding lab on OCTC's Main Campus at 4800 New Hartford Road. All tuition, fees, and supplies will be paid for qualified dislocated workers.
The Welding Tech I program is designed to help participants gain marketable skills and experience that will lead to higher paying careers with greater job security that remain solid, even in an economic downturn.
"The demand for skilled welders - for manufacturing, automotive, construction, ship building, and countless other industry concerns - continues to grow at an unprecedented rate." stated Cindy Fiorella, VP of Workforce & Economic Development. "With more and more baby boomers retiring every day, welding careers can offer both high wages and greater job security."
The embedded skills and competencies covered in the Welding Tech I program lead to three certifications including a KCTCS Welder's Helper Certificate, KCTCS Gas Welder Certificate, and a Forklift Certificate of Completion. Participants completing the Welding Tech I program can transition and easily complete OCTC's TechX Multi-Craft Technician Program.
In addition, participants can pursue additional certificate, diploma, and associate degree options through OCTC's Welding Technology Program, accredited by the American Welding Society.
The Welding Tech I program is part of the TRY (Time to Reinvent You!) collaboration with the Kentucky Career Center Owensboro and OCTC.
Matt Bartlett, Project Director: Kentucky Career Center shares that, "COVID 19 has left countless community members without jobs or marginally employed. One bright spot for 2021 is the opportunity to learn new skills that can lead to employment in high demand industries at no cost to qualified individuals. The Kentucky Career Center Owensboro may be able to assist impacted job seekers as they retool for new jobs thanks to federal training dollars. "
For more information about the Welding Tech I program, please contact the TRY team including Tina Munoz at Tina.Munoz@kctcs.edu and 602-692-1971 or Antoine Smith-Rouse at Antoine.SmithRouse@kctcs.edu and 606-278-0209.
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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.
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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.
Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC
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