ESAB
Welding & Cutting Products donated four Mig welding machines and
accessories to Spartanburg Community College (SCC). The machines were
installed in December at the Union County Advanced Technology Center
(UCATC) and will allow SCC to expand its welding program offerings in
Union.
“We are extremely excited and appreciative of ESAB’s
donation,” said Kathy Jo Lancaster, SCC interim director of the UCATC.
“ESAB will provide an economic boost to the Union community and has
already proven to be a valuable partner to SCC as well. We’re thankful
for their support and commitment to improving our local economy.”
During
construction of its Midway Plant in Union, ESAB has utilized the UCATC
facilities for employee training. Much of the training in Union is being
led by ESAB application engineer Bob Kovalchuk of Ohio. Kovalchuk said
the donated Mig welding equipment is all top-of-the-line and can weld
anything from sheet metal to four-inch plate.
Kovalchuk also said he was impressed with the UCATC.
“Most places we go don’t have a nice facility where we can do this,” Kovalchuk said.
ESAB
has 26 locations throughout the world, manufacturing a wide variety of
products. Employees of Union’s ESAB Midway Plant will make Mig and
submerged-arc welding wire for welding consumables and personal
protection equipment. Kovalchuk also said he was very impressed with
Union’s new ESAB Midway Plant facility, which he said was completely
computerized and state-of-the-art.
“It’s really going to be a show place,” Kovalchuk said. “It will make the work for those operators unbelievable.”
Union
native Jennie Epps Loftis was one of many newly-hired ESAB employees
who participated in training at the UCATC. Loftis will work in human
resources as a liaison between the Midway Plant and the corporate
office. She will coordinate training and lead all new hire orientation.
Loftis said there are still open positions at the plant, and those interested may apply online by visiting www.esabmidway.com.
SCC
currently offers a dual-enrollment welding program at the UCATC, which
is funded by a grant from AdvanceSC and allows eligible Union County
High School students to earn college credit and train for a high-demand
and high-growth career in welding while they attend high school.
“With
the addition of the ESAB Mig welding machines we can expand our welding
offerings at the UCATC to include more advanced classes,” explains Joe
Richards, SCC interim department head of welding. “These machines and
accessories are valued at $26,371 and are used for high-production
welding of materials with different thicknesses.”
Richards said
dual credit students are not yet using the Mig machines, but he hopes it
will allow for expansion in the way of UCATC welding classes, which
could include classes for welding certification there.
For more
information on SCC’s welding programs, visit www.sccsc.edu or contact
Joe Richards at (864) 592-4691 or richardsj@sccsc.edu.