Carter High School Celebrates Opening Of New Welding Lab

Knoxville TN

31 August, 2021

11:15 AM

Description

From the Knoxville Chamber: August 26, 2021 Students at Carter High School will have more opportunities for hands-on experience in a highly sought after career path, thanks to a new facility that opened this week. Community leaders gathered on Thursday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate a new welding lab at Carter High School. The lab includes approximately 3,600 square feet of space, along with: 10 self-ventilating welding booths; 10 multi-process welders that allow students to practice a variety of welding techniques; One welder that is specific to aluminum welding; and A plasma table with a 4-by-8-foot bed that allows students to create two-dimensional designs out of sheet steel or other metals. In addition to those tools, students will have access to a variety of gas-powered cutting torches and other hand tools. "Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a career or to pursue post-secondary training," said Superintendent Bob Thomas. "This lab will provide hands-on experience for Carter students, and we are hopeful that many of them will be inspired to pursue a career path where there is strong demand for skilled workers." "For a long time, we assumed the only pathway to success for every graduating student was through a 2- or 4-year university," said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. "While that is a valuable route, there are other options that are equally valuable and with more people retiring from trade industries than we have new people to fill those roles, a lab like this will go a long way to boost interest." "This welding lab is an important step to creating a pipeline of skilled talent in the Knoxville area," said Amy Nolan, Vice President of Regional Enhancement for the Knoxville Chamber. "Providing this real-life training, we hope, will create more interest in welding as a career and allow employers to provide more opportunities for young people." This press release was produced by the Knoxville Chamber. The views expressed are the author's own.