Inmates in the South Carolina prison system are finding a second chance through a high-quality job-training program that is passing significant job skills that they can put to use immediately after release. Gov. Nikki Haley will be adding a new call center that potential employers can call in order to access information about former inmates seeking jobs, such as notes about their performance, skills, and accomplishments from trade teachers and volunteer evaluators.
S.C. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said, “Some of these guys really have some talent. These references will help employers minimize their risk when hiring former prison inmates, however, background checks are still the responsibility of the employers.
The governor's spokesman Doug Mayer commented, “Making sure that our inmates aren’t simply jailed and forgotten about but are being prepared and trained to re-enter the workforce isn’t just good for our economy, it’s the right thing to do.”
Whether you need a second chance or a first chance, there are plenty of career opportunities in welding.
Here’s an overview of what’s happening this week:
Welding Industry
Could Pipeline Welding See Laser Hybrid Innovation? Materials processing specialists at Laser Zentrum Hannover say that a developmental hybrid laser welding method promises much faster welding of thick steel and aluminum in the future.
Using a 16 kW disk laser combined with gas-metal arc welding (GMAW), the team at the highly regarded center for industrial laser applications claims it was able to weld thick metal samples and sheets made of either aluminum alloys or steel up to 12 times faster than conventional GMAW.
Welding Education
Welding Simulator at Community College Helps Students with Careers: Welding probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when people think about the Westgate Library. On Wednesday, however, Wallace Community College staff showed local youth how to forge a future with the trade during a demonstration.
Joey Jackson, Wallace Community College welding instructor, brought a welding simulator to the library Thursday. The simulator complete with helmet and mock welding torch – is used in Wallace classes to provide an accurate representation of welding.
Welders Get Certified After One Semester of Training: Highlands College’s quest to get students certified quickly in welding, machining and aerospace welding is in full gear.
The three certificate programs are theoretically designed to train a student, award them a certificate and get them out the door for jobs. But each program has a cap of 10 students, so Highlands Dean John Garic encourages students to sign up as soon as possible for fall semester, when classes start.
Welding Events
Welding Education, Skills, and Certifications Conference
July 23 – 25, 2014
Ivy Tech Community College
50 W Fall Creek Parkway North Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
The American Welding Society and leaders from the industry’s most respected employers and labor experts, including Siemens, Lincoln, Iron Workers, and UA will help attendees gain new insights, exchange ideas, and solve problems specific to your technical program and local needs.
Welding Gone Wrong
Welding Smolders Overnight and Causes High School Roof Fire: Sparks from welding work started a fire on the roof of a west suburban Cicero high school Thursday morning. Firefighters responded about 9 a.m. to the fire at J. Sterling Morton High School East, at 2423 S. Austin Ave., Cicero Fire Chief Ron Opalecky said.
Contractors had been repairing and welding I-beams on the school roof Wednesday night, and smoldering from the work ignited Thursday morning, town spokesman Ray Hanania said.
Amarillo Development Fire Caused by Welders Grinding: The Town Square Village fire has been ruled an accident that could cost up to $20 million dollars, the Amarillo Fire Department said.
One building of the proposed complex was incinerated Monday night by a blaze that began around 6 p.m. that evening. Losses are estimated between $15 and $20 million dollars, according to a news release issued Wednesday by the Amarillo Fire Department. Authorities believe it was started by employees of a welding subcontractor cutting with a hand-held grinder before leaving the job site.
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