Welding Students Earn Certification

Individuals who completed a 13-week course in Gas Metal Arc Welding have passed state certification after the advanced welding training offered by the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) in Bridgeport.

The comprehensive courses feature both hands-on training and classroom instruction through a partnership with the United Technical Center (UTC).

Charlotte Weber, RCBI’s Director & CEO, noted that the welding program is “a great opportunity” for individuals at a time when there is a lack of welders not only in West Virginia but nationally. Weber said that RCBI and UTC began the partnership last fall to help alleviate a major shortage of welders in the region.

"We are responding to an identified shortage of welders -- not just here in West Virginia but nationwide -- and are continuing to prepare individuals to earn state welding certification and join the work force," Weber said.

Gaining certification were Bobby Taylor and Luke Carpenter of Grafton, Robert Hemeon of Bridgeport, Ben Smith of Clarksburg, Tim Blake of Greenwood, Randy Fleming of Fairview and Kendall Moore of Fairview.

The next RCBI welding course, which focuses on Shielded Metal Arc Welding, will begin November 29 at UTC. A limited number of class openings remain, so early registration is recommended.

For more information or to register, contact Kathryn Stanley, workforce development recruiter, at 304.848.2283 or 304.848.2270 or send an e-mail to register@rcbi.org. Financial assistance is available to individuals who qualify.