Scholarship applicants needed for welding, petroleum technology at WVNCC

A local college is hoping to get the attention of students in the Ohio Valley.

Available to interested students this fall at West Virginia Northern Community College, scholarships in welding and petroleum technology.

Larry Tackett, vice president of Economic and Workforce Redevelopment, said that the school has received a surprisingly low number of applicants.

"$30,000 worth of welding scholarships, $20,000 for the petroleum scholarships,” Tackett said. “We have room for 20 welding students in our new facility starting this fall, and I have five applicants at this point."

The welding and petroleum technology scholarships are for $2,000 each, covering the cost of the first semester's tuition.

Given the prominence of these fields in the area, and the possibility of the cracker plant coming, it could be an opportune time to learn the trades.

"It's surprising to me how little of an interest there is in people in general getting training in the tech fields, given what's potentially coming down the road, and the job opportunities that are already here, as well as the many more that will come,” Tackett said.

He said there is a demand right now in these fields. And it's not just working on the pipelines. Bidell in Weirton and another company in Sistersville told school staff they need welders.

"A lot of these jobs, the vast majority, in my opinion, are career jobs,” Tackett said. “You get the training, you go work for the companies here, not the transient companies that are moving out, but the companies that are based here. You can spend your career here. You don't have to leave the area, like so many people do to find work."

They are hoping students will take advantage of the opportunity.

"The money is out there and the scholarships are here. The doors are open. Come and see us,” Tackett said.

He recommends that anyone interested should apply by mid-August.