NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Welding is a popular and promising occupation in Pennsylvania, with employment numbers expected to increase by six percent or more this year.
One area college is finding a way to meet that need.
Coordinators at Luzerne County Community College say the interest in their welding program is meeting the need.
“I’m working towards getting into the union and that has a lot of welding into it and this is a really good program I feel like cause you get extra credits,” said Dana Kistler, 11th grade, WBACTC/Pittston Area School District.
Kistler is one of 15 high school students getting a jump start on their careers this semester in the Luzerne County Community College welding program. The program is currently seeing the largest number of enrolled high school students in years.
“It’s gonna get me closer to like the goals that I wanna get to. Cause I wanna go back to school for underwater welding anyway,” said Luke Pollard, 12th grade, Wilkes-Barre Area High School/WBACTC.
Welding is a popular and high-paying career in Pennsylvania, and it’s wide-ranging.
“We have companies in the area that manufacture homes that have steel as part of them that they can weld on. Some of my students actually work for a company that does bridge work,” said Ed Kuehner, technology coordinator, LCCC.
The program at LCCC helps students weld their way to success outside of a traditional classroom setting.
“They typically find themselves as not the best academic students and are looking for a wonderful career opportunity so they choose welding,” explains Kuehner.
For more information, visit the LCCC welding program.
