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Florence-Darlington Tech and Progress Energy Start Pipe Welding Academy

Submitted by: Jack Roach on Jun 24, 2008 at 12:52 pm Tagged with: electric energy, Power Generation, Training, Welding Source: Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence-Darlington Technical College’s (FDTC’s) Advanced Welding and Cutting Center will be able to fund a new Pipe Welding Academy thanks to a $60,000 grant from Progress Energy. Pipe welders command top dollar in the fossil fuel and nuclear power industry.

The Pipe Welding Academy at FDTC’s Advanced Welding and Cutting Center begins in July, 2008 and can produce 50 certified pipe welders a year. FDTC President Dr. Charles Gould was on hand recently at the College’s Advanced Welding and Cutting Center to accept a check from Progress Energy officials, including Emerson Gower, Vice President, Southern Region and Tom Walt, Vice President, H.B. Robinson Nuclear Plant.

Dr. Gould thanked Progress Energy. “Many of our welding certificate graduates have worked at Progress Energy facilities all across the company’s service area. We are so proud to call Progress Energy a partner in higher education,” said Dr. Gould.

Progress Energy is funding the academy at Tech because of a dwindling supply of pipe welders crucial to power company operations, according to Advanced Welding and Cutting Center Director Ross Gandy. “Currently, employers must go beyond the region to fill pipe welding positions. The academy will allow employers to offer these jobs to local technicians and allow this significant economic benefit to stay in the region,” said Gandy.

Gandy continued, “Pipe welders are in such demand that they are some of the highest paid technicians in welding.”

For further information call Ross Gandy at 843-661-8330.