New JWCC Welding Training Opens Pipeline of Skilled Workers for Area Manufacturers

[share] A new four-week basic welding training program at John Wood Community College is opening a pipeline for area manufacturers seeking skilled workers for dozens of open positions.

Because of the need to place welders in immediate openings, John Wood created a program to help manufacturers connect with prospective employees armed with basic welding skills.

“In just four weeks, students can have a valuable skill that is in huge demand,” Pam Foust, JWCC dean of career and technical education said. “We have a least four employers telling us they need employees with these basic welding skills, so this training can help get their foot in the door.”

The new condensed welding program includes a basic welding class and lab and a course in welding symbols and blueprint reading. All are taught by an experienced, local welding professional at JWCC’s Workforce Development Center at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy.

“John Wood is helping us build a qualified employment pool,” Tom Schilson, general manager of Manchester Tank said. “We need employees with the welding skills to hit the ground running. Having that basic skill set and building on it brings value to the company and the employee.”

In addition to welding skills, JWCC helps students prepare for employment interviews and offers advice on key soft skills necessary to secure a job.

Knapheide Manufacturing Human Resource Specialist Mike Dailing says that prospective employees need both technical and soft skills to be successful employees.

“We definitely need more qualified workers, but if a prospective employee doesn’t have the soft skills such as dependability, motivation and communication, it is unlikely they will have a career with any company,” Dailing said. ”If an employee doesn’t show up on time, has a poor attitude and doesn’t work well with others, knowledge of a particular field doesn’t matter much.”

Patrick Allen of Hannibal, Mo., will complete his JWCC welding certificate in March and already has a job lined up with Knapheide Manufacturing.

“I like the construction part of welding and grew up watching my grandpa weld in his garage,” Allen said. “I started out as a carpenter, and took a temporary job while going to school, but it’s pretty clear that there are greater opportunities for people who have advanced welding skills, specifically MIG welding.”

Allen says the new four-week basic welding course is a great for someone looking to get into the field, but continued education is key.

“The basics help you learn what welding is all about, but in the long-run you need to learn more than just what’s in the book, you need to apply what you learn,” Allen said. “If you take the basics, get a job and then come back for more advanced classes, I think you can have a great career in welding.”

Following the four-week training, students can add to their knowledge of welding by continuing their education at JWCC. By completing just three additional courses to earn a certificate, a basic welder could gain increased pay and responsibility depending upon their employer’s needs and qualifications.

Some companies send employees directly to the training or partner with JWCC for on-site courses. Quincy-based Konstant Products currently has two groups of employees seeking welding certification at JWCC’s Workforce Development Center and Westermeyer Industries offers JWCC courses for employees and high school students at its plant in Bluffs.

The first four-week welding session runs from February 13 to March 8. Students take classes Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 .m. Additional sessions will be offered March 12 to April 5 and April 9 to May 5. Information about how to enter the welding preparation program and possible funding is available at jwcc.edu/weldingprep or by contacting JWCC at 217.641.4329 or admissions@jwcc.edu.

[share] The Quincy Area Safety Council (QASC) will sponsor OSHA General Industry Courses July 18 – 21 at Vatterott College in Quincy.  The OSHA 10-hour General Industry Course will take place from 8am-5pm Monday, July 18 – Tuesday July 19. The OSHA 30-hour General Industry Course will take place 8am-5pm Monday, July 18 – Thursday, July 21.

The OSHA 10-hour program is designed and intended to provide instruction on a variety of general industry safety and health standards to entry-level workers. The course emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Registration fees are $175 for members (with a $25 member discount for each additional student from the same employer) and $195 for non-members.

The OSHA 30-hour program is more comprehensive than the 10-hour general industry program. It is designed for anyone involved in general industry, especially personnel responsible for supervision, management, safety and the company’s employees. The course emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Registration fees are $425 for members (with a $25 member discount for each additional student from the same employer) and $450 for non-members.

Thomas Grey, CHCM, President, Grey & Associates, Champaign Illinois is the instructor. Tom Grey is a highly skilled trainer and coach in employer and employee development of safety performance. Tom has over 28 years of hands on experience as a former plant manager, safety manager, human resources manager and quality control manager in manufacturing, distribution and trucking industries.

Tom is a graduate from the University of Illinois and a US Army Veteran. He is a trained Industrial Designer, Humane Resources Generalist, Board Certified Hazard Control Manager (CHCM) and OSHA Outreach Trainer. Tom has been trained in the OSHA Outreach OSHA 501 General Industry 10-hour and 30-hour Trainer Program. He is also authorized to instruct for the National Safety Education Center and the OSHA Training Institute on the OSHA 511 General Industry Course and SHA 501 General Industry Train-the-Trainer Course.

Download the Registration Form. For more information visit www.qasc.org or call 217.224.0149 or email qasc@adams.net. 

The mission of the Quincy Area Safety Council is to improve safety in Quincy and the surrounding area through a network of safety-minded individuals acting to predict, prevent, and minimize accidents.

The fourth in our series of articles highlighting the remarks of GREDF Board Chairperson, Connie Schroeder at our 2011 Annual Meeting.

A look back at EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT in the Tri-States in 2010…

[share] Quincy University’s confidence in the future is displayed in the $5.2 million dollar, 92-room dormitory taking shape on campus. Students will begin living in the new suite-style dorm in the fall. Q.U. welcomed its largest incoming class in 15 years at the start of the fall semester.

Enrollment is also up at Culver Stockton College and Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing. Culver experienced a 26 percent jump from the 2009 to 2010 academic year. Blessing-Rieman is up 10 percent over last year and enrollment has increased 30 percent over the last six years. A change in name for Hannibal-LaGrange University signifies that area school’s commitment to the future.

In June Jim Mentesti delivered the commencement address to Vatterott College graduates. I’d like to share with you a portion of his remarks, and I quote, “As an economic developer, I am especially pleased with who I see before me. You’re making my job easier. The skills you now have make it easier for me to encourage our manufacturers, service industries and hospitals to grow and expand. Knowing they will have qualified individuals to fill new job openings makes a difference. A quality workforce, that’s you, also helps me attract new business and industry to our area,” end quote.

John Wood Community College is a valued partner in workforce development as well. At a little over a year old, the college’s state-of-the-art workforce development center houses a number of the seventeen career training and workforce education programs which include truck driver training, fire science, health education, electrical technology, restaurant management, construction technology and sustainable local foods.

In response to workforce demand, the College has launched customized training in aluminum welding in addition to its current welding program. A number of local companies including Manchester Tank and ADM are working with John Wood to develop programs specific to their workforce needs. All of these initiatives contribute to the College’s role as an essential partner in workforce development and retention. We’d like to thank John Wood’s Dean of Career and Technology Workforce Education and former GREDF Chairman, Phil Conover, for the work he continues to do in partnership with GREDF making retention calls throughout the year to area businesses.

2010 was a busy year for GREDF and the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois. Our partnership with WIB is a strong alliance that fosters economic development by maintaining a dynamic workforce development environment. A number of initiatives took shape. We completed a survey of area businesses’ workforce needs. Companies answered questions about what issues they are facing and what help they need to meet current demand and expand. As a result, a number of companies were referred to the Workforce Investment Board for funding to assist in employee training.

I would like to welcome some special guests tonight. WIB, YP Quincy and GREDF are working with area students to help them identify career and employment opportunities within the community. These young people will be touring companies, meeting with young professionals and getting the help they need to pursue training and education. Ladies and Gentlemen, will you please stand and be recognized? Thank you. And thank you also to Blanche Shoupe of the Workforce Investment Board and Shelby Crow of YP Quincy and the Tri-State Development Summit for your work.