While the finishing touches are still being made, the brand new welding booths at Rockdale High School’s multipurpose CTE shop and lab are assembled and ready for work. The facility now includes 12 booths and included an electrical upgrade to run the new equipment. The project was funded in part by the Federal Perkins Grant, as well as local funds saved in part due to a reduction in travel expenses due to COVID.
Each school year, over 100 students, nearly a quarter of the high school enrollment, work in welding booths to practice their knowledge and skills in order to become more prepared for their future.
The goal of the program is to produce students who are college and career ready, and in this case, that means students are working towards an American Welding Society Certification. Earning an AWS D1.1 Structural Steel certification in the 3G position, like Rockdale high school senior, Joseph Nieto, makes him job-ready.
Initially, increased enrollment in the welding program of study prompted the need for the additional booths and machines, but the crossover between the Ag Mechanics and Construction programs keep the multipurpose lab busy all class periods of the day.
Rockdale High School CTE Instructor, Dale “Skeet” Manley said, “Both regionally, and across Texas, welders are in high demand. Our job is to support students in developing the technical knowledge and employability skills to be successful in their adult lives.”
The increase in capacity for students welding at one time allows for more practice during a class period, and ultimately means more students achieving certifications. With the new booths and machines, and the help of the Texas High School Welding Series, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between industry and education, Rockdale HS students will be able to earn certifications on their own turf.
Makayla Sosa, another CTE Instructor in the Agriculture/Construction/Manufacturing Career Clusters, said, “Earning that first certification, where a Certified Welding Inspector from industry looks over the weld and says, ‘Yes, that meets all of the standards,’ is so important to our students. For some, it’s rare to hear this kind of response to their submitted work.”
In the next few months, upon completion of all facets of this project, local partners with the program will be invited to see the upgraded area. Rockdale High School, Rockdale Department of Career and Technical Education, and Rockdale ISD are all grateful for all those who dedicate their time and efforts to working together to ensure each student becomes a successful and productive student in a diverse society.
Rockdale ISD strives to prepare all Rockdale students to be College and Career ready. If you are a parent of an RISD student, or anyone interested in the RISD CCR (College and Career Readiness) plan, please visit the Rockdale ISD website www.rockdaleisd.net. If you have questions regarding the program, please contact the Executive Director of College and Career Readiness, Britina Pesak at bpesak@rockdaleisd.net or 512-430-6000.
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