VGCC Welding Students Continue Success On National Certification
The seven graduating students in the day Welding Technology program at Vance-Granville Community College have done what is expected of them – pass the national certification exam for welding.
Since the program began at Vance-Granville in 1972, 507 welding students have been certified, according to Bill Jones, program head and instructor for Welding Technology.
The 2003 students, who will graduate on Aug. 7, took the American Welding Society practical exam on the college’s main campus July 16, and their tests were sent to Professional Services Inc. of Greensboro for X-ray testing. The test welds of all seven students passed national specifications.
Gaining certification and qualifying to become members of the American Welding Society are Brian King of Henderson, Carlos Sinclair of Kittrell, Brian Thompson and Jason Morris of Oxford, Greg Perry of Butner, Jeff Canada of Stem, and Marvin Arrington of Louisburg.
Greg Perry, the Vocational Student of the Semester for fall semester, said, “I would like to congratulate my fellow classmates in the welding program at Vance-Granville Community College. It has been a long and hard year, but Mr. (Bill) Jones’ teaching techniques have greatly helped his students succeed in learning welding skills.”
Completion of the welding program also qualifies the students for VGCC’s Multi-Skilled Technician program. Through this, they may study one or more vocational programs offered at the college to enhance their employability.
Openings remain in both the day and evening Fall Semester welding classes that will begin Aug. 18 for the program that takes one calendar year. Registration for these programs will be held July 24-Aug. 14. Interested persons should contact Jones or Herbert Washington, vocational counselor, at 492-2061.
On behalf of his classmates, Jason Morris presents a plaque to Bill Jones, program head/instructor of Welding Technology at Vance-Granville Community College, thanking him for his leadership in getting them able to be certified in welding. The certified welders are, front, from left: Jeff Canada, Greg Perry and Marvin Arrington, and back, from left: Brian Thompson, Carlos Sinclair and Brian King.
