Hoosier Feeder Company and PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, have partnered to provide Whitewater Career Center’s Welding Technology Program with a matching donation through the PMMI U Skills Fund.
Local career centers like Whitewater Career Center provide high school students with real-life experiences, skills, and knowledge to be successful in today’s working world.
Whitewater Career Center, located in Connersville, IN, offers 13 different career training programs from automotive technology to electricity, health science, and cosmetology. The welding technology program supports comprehensive student engagement with both classroom and hands-on learning experiences including oxy-fuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding, safety skills, print reading, electrical principals, mechanical drawing, and more.
During their senior year, students can secure apprenticeships with local companies. Hoosier Feeder Company currently employs several current and former Whitewater Career Center students. “Most of our past graduates continue to work in the local area” states Phil Bedel, welding instructor at Whitewater Career Center.
This year’s welding technology class includes 45 juniors and seniors. Along with the standard curriculum, the students will compete in the SkillsUSA Regional Welding & Welding Fabrication Competition this February, with potential advancement to the state competition in the spring. This past December, Whitewater Career Center also hosted the 2022 Regional FFA welding competition involving 44 students from 12 different high schools.
“With the support of local businesses like Hoosier Feeder Company, and organizations like PMMI, our program continues to evolve, and we are able to provide even greater support and education for our students” comments Bedel.
“We are so proud to support the Whitewater Career Center Welding Technology Program. The students are energetic and eager to learn,” notes Stacy Johnson, vice president – business development at Hoosier Feeder Company. “It’s wonderful to see their growth and we are happy to be a part of their transition into the workforce”.
Phil Bedel from Whitewater Career Center Shares His Expierence
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