Pictured from left to right are; Nathaniel Rickett, Evin Chapman, Shawn Meadows, Hunter Wright, Tyler Tucker, Welding student of the year Eli Bennett, Rocklynn Phillips, Grayson Siers, Lucas Cales, Hayden Reynolds, not pictured Peyton Meadows. The graduates' tentative career paths include electrician, instrumentation, pipe welder, shop welder, and engineering with some going to college and some straight into the workforce.
Jackson River Technical Center Lauds Welding Class of 2024
LOW MOOR — Jackson River Technical Center’s Welding Class of 2024 had a very successful two and a half years while attending JRTC. While many of the students have moved on to the workforce and college, we wanted to take the time to recognize them and their accomplishments.
We would also like to thank WestRock, Williams Fabrication, Byers Inc, Waco, Gala Industries, Arc3, and the many other companies and individuals that continue to provide support to JRTC and the welding program.
Eleven students graduated receiving their JRTC welding certificate while completing a range of training to include; OSHA 10-hour construction industry safety, National Occupational Competency Testing Institutes (NOCTI) written assessment test, extensive welding theory, blueprint reading, and daily workforce readiness training.
Students also took advantage of the dual enrollment partnership agreement between Mountain Gateway Community College and JRTC where they have the opportunities to earn welding college credits while attending JRTC. The class of 2024 completed sixty-nine dual enrollment credits. Not only does this save the students money, but it also reduces the number of courses they will have to take if they pursue welding at MGCC.
In the area of hands-on welding qualifications / “certifications”, students focused on SMAW (stick), FCAW (flux-core), GMAW (mig), and GTAW (tig) welding. In total, they passed thirty-two hands-on American Welding Society tests which included training on pipe, structural, and sheet metal types of welding.
JTRC is part of the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division. The school division was formed when JRTC, Alleghany County Public Schools, and Covington City Public Schools merged on July 1, 2022. AHPS has approximately 2,700 students and it is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.
AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.