First Class of High School Students Graduates From Welding Program
The first Passaic County Community College (PCCC) Dual Enrollment welding class graduated on June 11 from their Level One AWS training program. PCCC is an Educational Institution Member of the American Welding Society (AWS).
The seven students, all part of a pilot program with Passaic Valley Regional High School (PVRHS), received their certificates in an informal, upbeat ceremony that emphasized career and advanced training opportunities.
Richard Genco, director of the welding program at PCCC, welcomed the guests, including parents and administrators from PVRHS. “This is our first ever high school dual enrollment class,” he said, noting that the graduates were juniors and seniors at PVRHS. “The juniors will be able to return next year, when they are seniors, to complete Level 2 training.”
Rocco Testa, a dual-enrollment student from Passaic Valley Regional High School, with his father, Tony Testa, who attended the certificate ceremony.
Dual enrollment enables qualifying high school students to take college classes and earn college credits while still in high school. Students are able to get a head start on college and, typically, save money on their credits
“This program filled a need for students who are interested in the trades,” commented Tara Torres, the director of student counseling at PVRHS.
Welding instructors Anthony Ruffino and Raquel Garcia offered their comments on the performance of the class. “These students worked hard and we’re really proud of them,” said Mr. Ruffino. Ms. Garcia, who was influenced to become a welder by watching her grandfather work, noted the amount of effort the students put into their projects. “They went above and beyond and should be proud of themselves.”
Prior to the ceremony, some visitors gathered at the state-of-the-art training center on PCCC’s Main Campus in Paterson where an array of products, signage, and décor were on display, some still in progress, displaying the work accomplished by the welding students.
Communications professor Walter Behr, noted that the sign outside Zendel Hall, the location of PCCC’s production and broadcasting facilities on the Paterson campus, was created by the welding class.
“The work you’ve done has been great and much appreciated,” Professor Behr told the student welders. “You can take satisfaction in having created something that is attractive and useful, and is going to last.”
Offering an added dimension to the training possibilities was Daniel Lozano, an instructor in PCCC’s new automotive technology program, who invited the welding students to take one of the introductory workshop programs offered in auto tech. “This is an opportunity to expand your toolbox,” he said, noting that some welding jobs call for skills in related fields, and can broaden job opportunities for welders.
Regarding jobs, Brian Drucks, a representative of Where Trades Go (WTG), gave a motivating presentation about WTG, a platform and app that match skilled, verified tradespeople with the employers that need them. WTG makes the match in exciting new ways that provide almost instantaneous search results to both job seekers and employers. “This is the future of employment in the trades,” explained Mr. Drucks.
One satisfied parent, Tony Testa, was very impressed with the event and with his son’s progress in the welding program. Mr. Testa, who is employed at a university, commented “The professors here speak the language of the students and became their mentors. This program is something my son is really passionate about.”
His son, Rocco Testa, just completed his junior year and plans to attend Level Two welding in the next school year. “I learned many real skills and want to advance my understanding in the next level.” Rocco hopes to become a firefighter with his own side business in welding. “Taking this class is one of the best decisions I ever made,” he said.
For more information visit Welding – PCCC
Written by Linda Telesco
Photos by Romina Franco
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