Southeastern Extended Studies to offer summer workforce development courses in welding
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
5/31/11
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Division of Extended Studies will once again offer three welding courses this summer designed to address employment needs in the region. The three courses -- “Introduction to Welding for the Non-Welder,” “Intermediate Welding,” and “Introduction to Metal Casting” – will be held in Anzalone Hall on Southeastern’s main campus in Hammond.
“Our welding program addresses the need to fill vacant positions in the manufacturing sector of our region,” said Extended Studies Administration and Operations Manager Veda Abene. “Last semester eight students enrolled in the basic welding course and several expressed an interest in a second class. Therefore, we decided to offer the intermediate welding course to accommodate those students and anyone else that may already have basic welding experience.”
“According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn an annual average wage of $40,790, and the total annual projected demand for these skilled workers is 540 through the year 2018. These courses may be very beneficial to individuals who are interested in changing their career paths or those wishing to enhance their workforce skills,” Abene added.
The “Introduction to Metal Casting” class will use the green sand method, said Anthony Blakeney, faculty member in the Computer Science and Technology Department and instructor for all three courses.
“Students will get hands-on instruction in basic foundry work, including single piece patterns, match plate patterns, and an introduction to investment casting. They will also pour aluminum castings,” Blakeney said. “This course is for anyone who may be interested in getting involved in foundry work or those individuals who are already in the foundry business.”
The course is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 5:30 p.m. beginning June 28 – July 28 and the cost is $325.
“Introduction to Welding for the Non Welder” is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 21 – July 28, while “Intermediate Welding” is scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays from June 20 – July 27. Both classes are scheduled from 6-8 p.m. and cost $350 each.
For all classes, students must provide personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, welding shirt, jeans, leather shoes or boots and welding gloves.
For more information on these courses, contact the Extended Studies office, 985-549-2301, 1-800-256-2771 or visit www.selu.edu/es. Extended Studies also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/extended.studies.
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