The prospect of a new welding program for students in the Patrick County High School (PCHS) has topped the list of highlights for weeks, and now it is official.
Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) recently announced that PCHS students soon will have the opportunity to learn welding and earn both college credit and industry certifications beginning in the fall of 2019, when PHCC launches an introductory welding dual enrollment courses for PCHS students.
The school system will provide space for the program while PHCC provides the instructor and some of the equipment.
The local school division has earmarked up to $40,000 to pay for renovations to electric and other systems needed to support the program.
The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission will pay for costs of additional equipment, according to a release from PHCC.
Dual enrollment programs enable students to take college courses while in high school. Students earn both high school credit and college credit simultaneously in a dual enrollment course.
“We’re excited about this opportunity for our students,” said Schools Superintendent Bill Sroufe. “Any time students have the opportunity to learn valuable skills like this, and earn college credit, it’s a win for all of us. Welders are in demand and typically earn a very good wage, so this could be a nice boost for our local economy.”
In addition to offering dual enrollment welding courses, PHCC will use the new welding lab in the high school during the evenings to offer non-dual enrollment welding classes.
These classes will be taught by PHCC welding instructors and will allow students to work towards industry-recognized certifications and career study certificates.
“Our welding program has long been one of our most successful programs at PHCC,” said Greg Hodges, vice president of Academic and Student Success Services at PHCC. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to bring such an excellent program to two different groups of students in Patrick County. Our instructors are among the very best. They’ve maintained a 100 percent certification pass rate in their courses for decades. Successful students have gone on to earn very strong wages in the welding industry locally and across the country.”
Space renovation and equipment purchases will take place over the next year and a half to ensure that students are ready to enroll in the fall of 2019.
