By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development and North Central Kansas Technical College are coming together to offer a new career path for area workers.
According to Aaron White, Executive Director of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development statistics show there is a need for skilled tradesman – welders, machinists, electricians and sheet metal fabricators – nationwide.
In an effort to fill the local need for production welders, the two organizations formed a partnership to create a short-term introductory welding program called Welding Employment Training.
White said the class consists of 45 hours of mostly hands-on class work, taught by an instructor from NCK Tech.
“We’re not trying to crank out certified welders through the program,” he said. “We’re giving people a basic understanding – ‘boot camp for welding,’ we are calling it.”
The class consists of three full Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then two Tuesday/Thursday evening combinations.
There already is interest from employers in a 12-county area looking to fill openings.
White said one Ellis County business needing qualified welders is looking to fill 10 to 20 positions.
The November class is full, White said, noting efforts already are underway to fill the January class. Interested applicants can contact the KansasWorks office at (785) 625-5654 or stop by the office at 332 E. Eighth to register.
A grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation is helping to pay for the course, so it is provided free of charge for participants.