RCBI Machinist Technology/CNC and Welding Technology students – who earned a record 200 college degrees, certificates and nationally recognized industry credentials – were honored during fall graduation ceremonies earlier in December.
Offered in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College, RCBI’s career skills programs continue to boast a job placement rate that exceeds 90 percent. Students can earn a one-year certificate, two-year associate of applied science degree as well as national certifications from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) or the American Welding Society (AWS).
Many of the graduates, as well as continuing students, already have secured employment in their chosen field at local manufacturers that include FLSmidth in Winfield, Liberty Engineering and Machine in Craigsville and Steel of West Virginia, McCorkle Machine and Engineering, Liberty Hill Company, and Huntington Steel, all in Huntington.
“Our mission is two-fold,” said Derek Scarbro, RCBI deputy director. “We train highly skilled individuals for good-paying jobs close to home and provide manufacturers with the employees they need to innovate and grow. Companies reach out to us constantly wanting to hire our graduates.”
RCBI machinist students earning associate of applied science degrees were Hayden Curnutte and Hayden Hussell-Davis of Huntington; Elizabeth King of Belpre, Ohio; Joshua Maynard of Scottown, Ohio; Edward McGee of Huntington; Haden Plum of Keyser; Robert Thomas of Lavalette; and Cameron Watts of Salt Rock. These students also earned 97 certificates and industry certifications. Earning two-year RCBI certificates were Christopher Gould of Tioga and Scott Mullins of Huntington. They also earned 22 certificates and individual industry certifications.
Earning first-year certificates in Machinist Technology were Hayes Amburgey of Chapmanville; Benjamin Barringer of Hurricane; Dustin Brown of Huntington; Jonathan Grogan of Mason; Justin Sloan of Wilkinson; Noah Smith of Milton; and William Smith and Russell White, both of Culloden. Barringer and Grogan also earned certificates of applicated science from Mountwest. These students achieved an additional 48 certificates as well as individual industry certifications.
Jason Adams of Huntington earned his associate of applied science degree in welding technology. Earning one-year welding technology certificates were Samuel Effingham of Huntington, Justin Erwin of Huntington (who also was awarded a certificate of applied science), David Harrison of Ona, Jordan Mandeville of Huntington, Tyler Morrison of Ona, Ryan Norris of Huntington, Bethany Nutter of Summersville, Joseph Reavis of Culloden, Brandon Slayton of Hurricane, Garry Stevenson of Huntington and Michael Tyree of Huntington. These students also achieved 31 AWS certifications.
First-semester students who earned individual AWS certifications were Brooklyn Bowen of Hurricane; Brittany Carter and Trenity Carter, both of Huntington; Brian Dailey of Scott Depot, Jayne Polvinen of Lavalette; Q’Aliyah Turner of Huntington; and Kelvy Varner of Glenwood.
To learn more about RCBI Machinist Technology or Welding Technology programs or to apply, visit www.rcbi.org/career-skills. New classes begin Jan. 10 in Huntington.
– Dec. 20, 2022
