In an effort to meet an increased demand for skilled workers, the Three Rivers College Dexter Center began offering a one-year certification in welding in the fall semester. The college also offers a two-year associates degree in welding.
"Several industries have contacted me about the need for skilled workers," said TRC Dexter Center Director Joe Kenley. "We, at the college, are working on creating partnerships with private industry to provide specific job skills."
The welding classes are taught by Derek Joplin. Joplin was the instructor at Caruthersville before coming to Dexter. There are currently eight students enrolled in the welding program.
"The decision to offer welding at Dexter wasn't made until just before the fall semester this year," said Kenley. "We hope that more students will take advantage of this opportunity."
Three Rivers College offers welding at their main campus in Poplar Bluff, and in Dexter.
Senator Roy Blunt spoke of the need for more vocational training in a recent visit to the area. He told those gathered that President Donald Trump wanted to address the need for a more technically skilled work force.
Kenley said several industries in the Bootheel have expressed a desire to partner with the college to provide jobs for welders after completing certification. There has been considerable interest from industries in the Sikeston, Mo., area, as well as other nearby cities.
According to the American Welding Society, there will be a national need for 240,000 additional welders between 2009 and 2019, with an additional 100,000 projected to be needed by 2024. Without skilled labor, society breaks down. Without welders, buildings and infrastructure do not get built.
"Industries are begging for welders," said Joplin, who is trying to reshape his welding program to meet the needs of local industries. "Welding has changed as technology has changed."
There are four types of welding taught at both the Poplar Bluff and Dexter locations. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or more commonly known as stick welding. The classes cover manufacturing and maintenance.
What many do not realize is that welders also must read engineering blueprints. The blueprints provide symbols for welders to follow in their work. So, Joplin teaches a class on blueprints at Dexter.
Joplin said the program is moving to align with the AWS Sense program. The AWS SENSE Program is a comprehensive set of minimum standards and guidelines for welding education programs.
Kenley noted that providing skills needed by area industries leads to more jobs, which should help retain young people in the area after high school. He added that the Green Diesel program at the Dexter Center is similar in that it is a skill training effort by Three Rivers College. That program has been very successful at Dexter and has provided the skills needed for graduates to enter the work force at a good wage.
"This is a program where people can get the training they need to make a good living," said Kenley.
Both Kenley and Joplin would like to see more people take advantage of the job training opportunities provided at the TRC Dexter Center.