Due to constant demand, First Coast Tech expands welding program (Courtesy of the Jacksonville Business Journal) — With many industries begging for more skilled workers, First Coast Technical College in St. Augustine has been quietly supplying trained graduates to meet the needs.
One such industry is about to get twice as many qualified candidates as before because FCTC just unveiled an expansion to its welding program. On Thursday, the school unveiled its new space for welding education. It has gone from 15 booths to 30.
“This will enable us to enroll 30-plus additional students who enroll for dual enrollment and share booth space because they attend half a day,” said Arleen Dennison, college advancement coordinator at FCTC.
She added that about $150,000 has been obligated to the project with additional work pending on new welding equipment.
It’s coming at a good time, according to some First Coast business leaders.
Ernie Aglugub, a senior repair specialist with BAE Systems, pointed to his company’s recent expansion plans as an example of increased need. BAE recently announced that it has begun construction of a $200 million Pearlson Shiplift and land-level repair complex at the company’s Jacksonville shipyard.
That’s going to lead to a need for more workers, including welders. It’s a need that hasn’t slowed in recent years, even during the pandemic.
“Throughout all of Covid, we continued to hire,” Aglugub said. “Welders are always, always in demand. We had new hire orientation every two weeks, and you could bet there was a welder appearing at least once or twice a month. There’s always a demand for welders. That’s why I’m here.”
Also at Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion was Zeke Williams, a graduate of the FCTC program, who now owns his own company, Williams Welding.
He said the growth in St. Augustine in particular has led to the need for more skilled welders.
“There’s a lot of residential growth that we’ve been catering to as well,” Williams said.
“About 47,600 openings for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire,” according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Ed George, a local business owner, is vice chair of the occupational advisory committee for the welding program. He’s a metallurgist who runs E&S Consulting and said the First Coast is filled with opportunities for welders.
He pointed to the marine industry, residential/commercial construction, transportation and other industries as those that need good welders.
George often works as a certified welding inspector and praised FCTC for what it does for students.
“The quality of the students coming out of this program are way beyond, compared to other welding schools,” he said. “I am always impressed when I hear from local and regional employers who rave about their employees who were graduates of this program.”
Welder image courtesy of Popular Mechanics Magazine