VGCC passes milestone of 600 certified welders
Sixteen Welding Technology students at Vance-Granville Community College recently earned their national certification according to the standards of the American Welding Society, bringing to 605 the total number of certified welders produced by VGCC since 1972.
The newly certified welders include Gary Wayne Ayscue II of Kittrell, Miguel Colin Benitez of Louisburg, Bernard Benson of Henderson, Timothy Lafayette Foster of Henderson, Julian Spencer Griffin of Henderson, Tyler Bret O’Neal of Zebulon, Justin Mack Tew of Wake Forest, Israel Mercado Velez of Louisburg and Roy Lamont Venable of Henderson, all in the day Welding program; and Alexander Bullock of Henderson, Travis Quinton Copeland of Butner, Christopher Lee Currin of Franklinton, Riley Evan Deane of Franklinton, Bonnie Henderson of Henderson, Dillon Reed Lewter of Louisburg and Adam Roberts of Henderson, all in the night class.
Students recently took their practical welding examinations, and their test welds were then sent to Professional Service Industries of Greensboro for x-ray examinations to find any imperfections. Mike McCraw of PSI, whose company certifies students of welding programs at several community colleges in North Carolina and Virginia, interpreted the test results and congratulated VGCC.
“Training more than 600 students who have passed the certification test is an extraordinary accomplishment and a reminder that VGCC continues to boast one of the state’s top welding programs,” said VGCC Dean of Applied Technologies and Public Service Angela Gardner-Ragland. “We have had a 100% passing rate for the AWS certification test for the last several years, thanks to our outstanding students, our current and former instructors and our facilities. Our Welding students are getting the training they need to be successful in their careers.”
Rusty Pace is the head of VGCC’s Welding Technology program (of which he is also a graduate) and taught the day students. Overseeing the night Welding class was instructor David Bullock. VGCC’s diploma program provides students a sound understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industries. VGCC also offers certificate programs in Basic Welding and Welding Certification Practices. For more information, call Pace at (252) 738-3375 or counselor Herbert Washington at (252) 738-3228.
Above: Pictured are some of the VGCC Welding students who helped put the college over the mark of 600 welders certified to date. In front, from left: newly certified welders Julian Griffin, Miguel Benitez, Roy Venable and Bernard Benson; in back, from left: welder Timothy Foster, VGCC Welding program head Rusty Pace and welder Justin Tew. Not pictured: Tyler O’Neal, Israel Velez and Gary Ayscue from the day class, and Alexander Bullock, Travis Copeland, Christopher Currin, Riley Deane, Bonnie Henderson, Dillon Lewter and Adam Roberts from the night class. (VGCC photo)
