LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In an effort to promote trade careers, La Vergne High School is continuing to enhance their educational trade programs. Among the many trade career classes, welding remains a popular course.
Students can start the courses their freshman year and then go to a trade school after graduation. According to Rutherford County Schools, this new program represents a $250,000 investment.
The four-way pathway of the course starts with Principles of Manufacturing as a freshman, Welding I, Welding II and Practicum or Work-Based Learning courses focused on manufacturing or welding
La Vergne High School debuted their new welding lab with a ribbon cutting on Monday, Oct. 21. Currently, the course is at a max capacity of 90 students. To help get more students involved, Jason Bowers—who is a professional welder—created a welding club.
“The trade in general, welding, is not an easy career, but it’s very rewarding and the biggest part of what I was concerned of to become a teacher was the lack of blue collar workers in the United States,” said Bowers. “So, I’m happy to see that schools are bringing back trade programs.”
“I was previously into like cars and all that, so welding kind of just went along with that and I was pretty interested it. Now, I’m two years deep into the class and I really enjoy it,” said Lavergne High School senior Carson Rone.
“My family supports me and I want to be a professional welder,” Rone added. “I like looking at the finish product after your work.”
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There currently is a shortage of welders. The American Welding Society Foundation expects the welding industry will face a shortage of 360,000 welders by 2027, meaning students have an opportunity to immediately fill those positions.
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