Wiregrass students visit local industry


June 1, 2012

Daniel Calhoun Students listen to a representative of WATCO discusses the industry and the plant. Welding students Steve Anderson, Chris Pope, Jesse Lewis, James Davis, Dallas McMarrow, and Wiregrass instructor Cabot Carlton are pictured.
 

Fitzgerald, GA— Students of the welding and joining technology program on the Ben Hill-Irwin campus recently toured the facilities of WATCO at the Fitzgerald Georgia Rail Car Repair Shop. During the tour the students learned about the repair, certification, cleaning, and re-qualification services performed by the facility and its emphasis on safety.

WATCO's Ross Nash explained the procedures for each type of repair offered at the facility and the importance of exceeding quality standards. Of special interest to the students, Mr. Nash explained how welding and oxy-fuel cutting are an integral part of the repair procedure. Nash also covered the career opportunities offered at WATCO and pre-hire welding test qualifications administered by the company.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers the welding and joining technology diploma program on the Ben Hill-Irwin and the Valdosta campus locations. In addition to the diploma program, technical certificates of credit are offered for shielded metal arc welder, flux cored arc welder, gas metal arc welder, gas tungsten arc welder, and pipe welder. To find out more about the welding and joining program or other technical and industrial programs, visit www.wiregrass.edu. A free application day will be held on June 25 at all campus locations for students interested in applying for Fall semester classes.