Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
For the second consecutive year, the Western Welding Academy’s Blue Collar Tour stopped at the Walker County Center of Technology (WCCT) in Jasper on Monday, February 12. The tour aims to engage high school students in blue-collar trades, like welding, through hands-on experiences.
The event drew hundreds of students from various parts of Alabama, including Walker County and Jasper City Schools and schools in Cullman, Pike, Winston, and Tuscaloosa counties. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in hands-on welding demonstrations, win merchandise and tool giveaways, and learn about the benefits of pursuing careers in blue-collar trades.
Located in Gillette, Wyoming, the Western Welding Academy offers high school graduates the chance to train under certified welding instructors in a real job site setting. The academy prides itself on having top-notch instructors specializing in welding and is committed to helping students reach their full potential.
In a message to industry and education partners, WCCT Principal Chris McCullar shared, “Last year, WCCT hosted the Western Welding Academy in their National 2023 Blue Collar Tour. We feel it was a success for the welding students and all of our blue-collar programs. This exciting day showcased and celebrated a blue-collar trade, which will be the future for many of our students. We are excited to host the Alabama stop again this year. Western Welding Academy was glad to hear we wanted them back. Because we had the largest turn-out in the nation, they selected us as a host site again.” WL
To learn more about the Walker County Center of Technology, visit walkercountyschools.com/wcct
To learn more about the Western Welding Academy, visit westernweldingacademy.com/
