WSCC Celebrates Opening of Welding, Industrial Skills Training Facility in Greenville

Dr. Joe Combs, dean for workforce training; Gerald Austin, director of workforce training for welding education and training; Scott Niswonger, Walters State Foundation trustee; Dr. Wade B. McCamey, president of the college; Jerry Fortner of J & J Warehousing; Dr. Anita Ricker, assistant dean for workforce training; and Dr. Lori Campbell, vice president of academic affairs at Walters State.

Walters State Community College administrators joined local industry representatives Thursday (Jan. 15) to celebrate the opening of the new Walters State Workforce Training Facility for welding and industrial skills training in Greeneville.

“The ribbon cutting we are celebrating today is a tribute to what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together to meet the local training needs of current and future employers,” said Dr. Wade McCamey, president of Walters State.

The college received a state grant of $337,000 to develop advanced welding and industrial skills programs. Much of that money went to purchase training equipment, the same used in many industries now.

“The grant did not include funds for a facility in which to house equipment and offer the training. We did not have room at our Greeneville Campus,” explained McCamey.

“That’s where Jerry Fortner and Jimmy Canselor of J & J Warehousing stepped up. They are providing this facility rent-free.”

McCamey also thanked Tom Ferguson, president/CEO of the Greene County Partnership, for his support during the grant application process. He also acknowledged Bill Carroll with Greeneville Light and Power for assistance with the facility, and Tim Gary with Worthington Industries for the company’s support. McCamey then thanked area manufacturers for providing consultation to the college on their specific workforce training needs.

Dr. Lori Campbell, vice president for academic affairs at Walters State, echoed McCamey’s sentiments.

“As you are standing here today, we are all able to see that due to strong industry partners and supporters and a very talented Walters State staff, Walters State’s Workforce Training Division’s proposal for an industrial skills assessment and training and an advanced welding program was successful,” Campbell said.

The training program falls under the Division of Workforce Training at Walters State. The division is responsible for developing noncredit courses to meet the needs of area employers.

Classes are already underway at the 6,000 square foot facility, located on Asheville Highway. In welding, offerings range from an introductory class that covers safety and joint designs to advanced classes in structural welding and pipe welding. Training is designed to maximize the hands-on welding time while providing students with all the needed background knowledge.

The industrial skills training program staff will work with local companies to assess not only the skills of applicants and the skills needed to fill jobs, but also develop the training needed to prepare those applicants.

“This method provides a very unique solution to training problems. With improved industrial skills, individuals will be able to positively impact productivity,” said Dr. Anita Ricker, assistant dean of workforce training.

Ricker also said the industrial skills training program will play a major role in industrial recruitment to the area.

“Without a trained workforce, an area cannot be competitive. With this system, we will be able to show prospective employers that we can provide the skills needed.”

The Division of Workforce Training can also work with individual companies to provide customized training in both areas.

The college had previously provided welding courses at the Greeneville Center for Technology, according to Ricker.

“With this grant, we were able to purchase needed equipment for both the new programs,” Ricker said.

The grant also enabled the college to hire Gerald Austin as director of workforce training for welding education and training. Austin is a graduate of the U.S. Navy C-1 Welding School and Kingsbury Vocational Center in Memphis. He previously served as a maintenance welder for Packing Corporation of American and as a welding instructor for Northeast Mississippi Community College. Austin has already worked with several companies to provide needed training.

The facility also includes classroom space with multimedia capabilities. Popular topics include customized pipe welding; welding for manufacturing; understanding welding codes and specifications; and welding inspection and quality control. The program also offers consulting services, welder testing and certification and employee candidate assessments at the facility.

For more information, contact the welding and industrial skills program at 423.798.7988.