Savannah Tech Student Selected for Welding Scholarship

#1345 | March 4, 2013

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Welding student Andy Burns was selected to receive a $350 scholarship from the American Welding Society (AWS). He is the first student to be awarded an AWS scholarship at the College.

Before starting the welding program, Burns was a dump truck driver, who was looking for a more stable career change to support his family. He is scheduled to graduate with a diploma, along with multiple welding technique Technical Certificates of Credit from Savannah Tech this June. He gained experience during his time at Savannah Tech, through an internship as a tig welder working on steam turbines for Mitsubishi. Tig welding requires more precision and is more difficult to master than other types of welding. As a member of Savannah Tech’s AWS student chapter, Burns qualified for the AWS scholarship.

AWS is a not-for-profit membership organization that is the world’s authority on safe, productive welding. The society publishes the major technical standards used in welding of all types, and certifies welding professionals such as inspectors, supervisors and educators. In addition, AWS publishes technical magazines in three languages and operates trade shows in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The organization currently serves nearly 70,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and student chapters.

A career with unlimited potential, Welding and Joining is the backbone of manufacturing and leads the way during economic recovery. The Georgia Department of Labor notes welding and joining careers will increase by 15% or more over the next decade. The need for new welders hasn’t gone unnoticed by local employers. With proactive industry partners like JCB and Mitsubishi, STC has developed multiple internship tracks for new and current students. Advisory Board Members for the Welding and Joining department such as Pipe Fitters Union (Local 188), Iron Workers Union (Local 709), CST Coverings (formally Temcor), Savannah Tank, LMI Aerospace, and CSX – also work closely with instructors for new and updated course offerings, shaping the program to fit the needs and expectations of local businesses.

Savannah Tech offers a diploma in welding and joining along with technical certificates of credit in a variety of techniques for welding. Welding and Joining Technology is offered at the Savannah campus and at a new welding lab near the Effingham campus in Rincon, Ga.

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Industrial Technology Academic Advisor: Melanie Smith
912.443.5859 or msmith@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 orashaffer@savannahtech.edu