University Adds New Pathway to High-Demand Welding Occupations
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana is continuing to help change the face of higher education. UAHT recently added a mobile welding classroom to the methods of instruction offered by the college.
According to a press release, the mobile welding classroom was fabricated from a twenty-six foot enclosed aluminum trailer by UAHT welding instructors Charlie Scoggins and Eddie Thomas. The trailer is equipped with eight Miller Trailblazer 325 welders, individual workstations, and all required safety equipment. The mobile classroom will be used to offer three types of welding instruction, MIG, TIG, and SMAW/Stick welding, on location at high schools, industry, and for the general public. UAHT offers several welding certificate programs, some of which prepare students for jobs in as little as six weeks.
The mobile welding classroom is part of the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 Regional Workforce Grant Program. Five community colleges within the University of Arkansas System formed a workforce alliance to address workforce needs in the regions served by these colleges. This Alliance is composed of Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. The Alliance received the Regional Workforce Grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education of $905,890 with UAHT receiving $163,152 of the grant.
UAHT offers several certificates in Welding including:
- Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Welding
- Certificate of Proficiency in Construction Welding
- Technical Certificate in Welding Technology
For more information about Welding programs at UAHT, call (870) 777-5722.