Rowan-Cabarrus Community College expanding welding program to community, local students
Students in Cabarrus County will get hands-on experience thanks to an expansion of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s welding program.
According to a release from the school, the welding program has grown to the college’s south campus with a large lab to provide hands-on teaching for Cabarrus County students. The south campus is on Trinity Church Road, just off U.S. 73 in Concord.
The new lab has the latest equipment, like virtual reality welding machines. Students who are enrolled in the college’s welding program have a chance at immediate job opportunities.
ALSO READ: Local community college cuts dozens of positions due to lower enrollment
Cabarrus County donated $330,000 of the over $600,000 cost for the renovation of the lab that used to hold Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s motorsports program. The president of the college, Dr. Carol S. Spalding, said she is looking forward to preparing students for a strong future.
“The opening of the new welding lab comes at the perfect time, as Cabarrus County continues to grow and draw more industry,” Spalding said. “We are thankful for the county’s support and look forward to preparing students for lucrative employment and filling the needs of businesses looking for skilled employees.”
The school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with representatives from the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, the college’s board of trustees, and other guests who were invited to tour the new lab.
Rowan-Cabarrus welding student Mira White said she feels ready for work thanks to the program.
“A new industry is creating greater demand for welders,” said White. “I feel prepared to work after graduation and will have many choices for employment. Rowan-Cabarrus has done a great job bringing female welding students into its program.”
ALSO READ: UNC Charlotte grad students design affordable living spaces
Like White, more women are entering the school’s welding program, and as new businesses move to the county, jobs for students after finishing the welding program increase. Welders can work in many different areas, from motorsports to factory work; some students even open their own businesses or take a job as a repair specialist.
The school’s welding program was one of eight national recipients of a grant from the American Welding Society to buy high-tech virtual welding equipment in 2019.
“The expansion of the welding program to South Campus will allow more students to learn this in-demand skill, which is directly related to our region’s workforce and economic development needs,” Spalding said.
For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Welding Technology program, click here.
(WATCH BELOW: INTERVIEW: Fred Smith of Davidson College talks sports business)
