NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. — During the graduation season West Virginia students are in a period of transition. Some are choosing college, others are choosing the military, others may have plans to further their athletic dreams. But in technical schools across West Virginia, a lot of students, in a matter of days, will be part of the American workforce. Monday, several of those students were celebrated at the Wetzel County Technical Education Center.
“Companies are starting to take employees again right out of high school who have had some technical training. Basically what they need are employees who have a willingness to learn, an employee who will show up on time, and an employee who is willing to break a sweat,” said the school’s welding instructor Steve Starkey.
Several of Starkey’s students from Wetzel County’s four high schools signed on the dotted line in a ceremony similar to those of student athletes committing themselves to a college sports team. Instead, these students were making a commitment to either go to work or commit themselves to advancing their skills for a company or both.
“Students who have attained certification in welding and certifications in OSHA and also just skills needed to go into the work force. Basically just show up with a positive attitude and a good work ethic,” Starkey said.
Those included Alan Cain and Brook Gray who signed with Laborers Local 1149. Shelby Price and Emily Baker signed to further their technical training at Northern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Noah Smith chose Fairmont State to further build on his skill set for the workplace. Others are headed directly to the work place for on the job training. Gaige Royer signed to go to work for Cleveland Brothers Caterpillar. Kreed Scyoc accepted a position with Covestro. Walter Klug and Evan Phillips have secured a strong future at American Heavy Plate.
Starkey knows what all of this students face and what all of their future employers want. He formerly worked in the industry and came to the teaching business in the twilight of his work career to hopefully guide the next generation of welders and laborers into the right position for a successful and lucrative career.
“They can train them to do the job. In some ways the work is similar, but there’s more technology than there was 50 years ago,” Starkey told MetroNews.
He noted the world is in desperate needed of skilled labor and the need grows greater with every retirement in the workforce.
“There’s been a lot more people leave high school in the past and go to work than leave high school to go play college ball,” he added.
Starkey said the team at the school is always looking for additional employers who are looking for solid, young workers who have soft skills like work ethic and a desire to be there. He said companies can train those who have the right attitude to do the job. He hoped more would partner with the school to get students placed in the workforce or at least in some kind of training or apprenticeship program as they transition from high school to the real world.