Ozark City Schools Receives Grant for Mobile Welding Program

Carroll High School, part of Ozark City Schools (OCS), will soon have a mobile welding unit that contributes to its career and technical education (CTE) programs. The new unit is made possible by a $350,000 grant as part of U.S. Senator Katie Britt’s approved congressional spending for economic development and will be the first welding program at OCS.

“We have a lot of students who are really interested in learning how to weld,” says Shanna Doran, Career and Technical Education Director at OCS. “So being able to offer that on our campus is very exciting.”

The mobile welding unit is still in the development process, but should be available for students to use soon. Bringing welding education to OCS will support both current students and future generations of Dale County. It can also send ripple effects through the local economy. 

Students Will Train on Virtual Welding Booths 

Students that use the mobile welding facility will train on both virtual and actual welding booths. The machines that OCS is ready to order match current industry standards based on input from local companies. Students will start their training on the virtual booths in order to conserve resources while becoming familiar with modern welding technology. Once students master the virtual welding environment, they can move on to using physical materials.

“The virtual booths give students experience while allowing us to effectively use our welding resources and materials,” says Doran. “Students learn a lot about welding before they get their hands on real parts.”

The mobile aspect of the welding unit comes from the fact that it is not physically attached to Carroll High School. The district does not need to construct new rooms to establish the welding program. 

Carroll High School Has 11 CTE Programs 

Welding will be the 11th CTE program that students can choose if they want to enroll in career and technical education at CHS. These programs are spread across six classrooms and are supported by 11 instructors. Other CTE programs at CHS include computer science, construction, cosmetology, manufacturing, masonry, and professional sales. The choice to add welding to the OCS programs was based on student demand and the local economy.

“Any time we make decisions about adding a program or removing a program, we always look at our regional workforce data,” says Doran. “We found that there is a huge need for welding in our area. Welding also works alongside manufacturing when it comes to skill-building. A lot of times when you're doing manufacturing, you have to weld pieces together.”

OCS has strong data that proves students who have welding skills will be able to successfully enter the workforce in Dale County. Not only does Doran highlight local employers who need welders, but she also references Austal USA in nearby Mobile that is building a submarine manufacturing facility.

“That gives our students an opportunity to stay in Alabama and keep our workforce in Alabama,” says Doran. 

CTE Supports Community Building in Dale County 

Investing in CTE increases the paths and career options for students after they graduate. Students can feel more prepared when they leave the classroom, whether they're heading to college, joining the military, or directly entering the workforce.

However, increased skill-building also has a positive snowball effect on the county as a whole. A stronger workforce can attract employers and create a more diverse economy. This means more opportunities for students so they stay in the area and start their own families. The next generation of Dale County students could be the result of this mobile welding program.

“If we can get our students to stay and continue to grow their families here, it's going to help our community grow stronger, says Doran. “And it's going to invite more industries and partnerships from surrounding areas into our area.”

Doran adds that it's so exciting how much the local community already supports the school system.

“Ozark City Schools is lucky that we have so many people willing to support us and help us however we can,” she says. 

Learn More About the Dale County Workforce

Ozark City Schools is an invaluable partner of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation (ODCEDC). It does an excellent job preparing students for their futures, no matter the paths they take. Discover other workforce development partners that support the education and training of residents in the area. Together, we can create a future-ready workforce that accommodates different Industries in Dale County.