VGCC Welding Students earn national certification

Thirteen Welding Technology students at Vance-Granville Community College recently earned their national certification according to the standards of the American Welding Society, bringing to 589 the total number of certified welders produced by VGCC since 1972.

The newly certified welders include Robert Carlock, Jay Davis, John Foster, Eustazio Small, Mandell Terry and Darrell Yarborough, all of Henderson; Samuel Taylor of Inez; Keith Lancaster of Louisburg; Aaron Canady, Joshua Dunton and Danny Marable, all of Oxford; Stephen Delionbach of Stovall; and Anthony Jones of Wake Forest.

In addition, Danny Marable earned a special certification in Pipe Welding.

Students took the practical welding examination on Aug. 2. Their test welds were then sent to Professional Service Industries of Greensboro for x-ray examinations to find any imperfections. Mike McCraw of PSI, whose company certifies students of welding programs at several community colleges in North Carolina and Virginia, congratulated VGCC on a 100 percent passing rate this year.

“We have had a 100 % passing rate for the AWS certification test for the last several years,” according to VGCC Dean of Business & Applied Technologies Bobby Van Brunt. “This is an extraordinary achievement, and is indicative of the great facilities and instruction available for students at Vance-Granville who are seeking welding skills, which remain in high demand.”

Russell “Rusty” Pace of Franklinton is the instructor and head of VGCC’s Welding Technology program, of which he is also a graduate. The diploma program provides students a sound understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industries. VGCC also offers certificate programs that specifically train students in SMAW (Stick) Plate Welding, GMAW (Mig) FCAW/Plate Welding, and GTAW (Tig) Plate Welding. For more information on Welding at VGCC, call Pace at (252) 738-3375 or vocational counselor Herbert Washington at (252) 738-3228.

Above: Newly certified welders in VGCC’s Welding program include, front row, from left: Darrell Yarborough, Jay Davis, John Foster, Samuel Taylor and Stephen Delionbach; back, from left: Welding program head Rusty Pace with welders Eustazio Small, Joshua Dunton, Mandell Terry and Danny Marable. Not pictured: Aaron Canady, Robert Carlock, Anthony Jones and Keith Lancaster. (VGCC Photo)