Future Welding Program at Hayesville High School

By Revonda Palmer

Guest Writer

  • Students in Mr. Cook's Carpentry class and Mr. Brown's Ag. Mechanics class work together to construct Hayesville High Schools welding booths.
    Students in Mr. Cook's Carpentry class and Mr. Brown's Ag. Mechanics class work together to construct Hayesville High Schools welding booths.

    Image removed.

    Clay County Schools is currently developing a Welding Program at Hayesville High School as part of our Career Technical Education (CTE) program. The Agriculture Mechanics class contains a Welding Component as part of the curriculum. 

    This component introduces students to basic welding techniques and terminology.  With these basics skills and techniques, students will have an opportunity to earn an American Welding Society Safety (AWS) credential. Earning this credential will enable students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills on a community college level.

    Our ultimate goal with the Welding Program is to further enrich our students to be workforce ready upon graduation by working closely with Tri-County Community College CTE Pathways in the Career College Promise (CCP) program. With this program, students will be able to earn a Welding Technology Certificate while in high school and be certified to work in the welding industry upon graduation.

    We have reached out to a local welding equipment business, and they have estimated the cost to equip three welding booths at approximately $25,000.00 total. This price includes welders, leads, helmets, gloves, plasma cutters, rods, and other needed items.

    Clay County Schools is currently accepting donations to make this program a reality for our students. If you would like to donate, please contact Revonda Palmer at rpalmer@clayschools.org or call 828-389-8513, ext. 4451.