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Silsbee High School began a new tradition on Dec. 7, hosting its inaugural Welding Certification and Competition for more than 200 students from across the state, representing numerous local districts, showcasing their welding skills. Competitors hail from districts including Bloomington, Burkeville, Del Valle, Hardin Jefferson, Hull-Daisetta, Klein Forest, Livingston, Newton, Pearland, Port Neches-Groves, Royal, Shelbyville, Vidor, Vista Ridge, and Wells.
Students that placed were honored with buckles and awards, and students aimed to attain certifications such as the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
According to the AWS, the welding industry is poised to face a shortage of approximately 360,000 welders by 2027. With an annual need for 90,000 new welding jobs between 2023-2027, the certifications earned by high school students can open doors to lucrative opportunities, with potential earnings exceeding $20 per hour, depending on their skill set.
The Silsbee Independent School District (SISD) Board of Trustees approved the expansion of the welding facility in early 2022, completed in October 2022. The project doubled the facility's size, accommodating 150 students and eliminating the need to turn away eager learners due to space constraints. Safety enhancements, including new gas piping and a state-of-the-art ventilation system, were also implemented.
John McKeehan, Silsbee High School welding instructor, expressed the program's immense benefit to students, stating, “This program equips our students with certifications and essential skills, enabling them to enter the workforce immediately with high-paying jobs.”
Under the guidance of instructors McKeehan and Richard McAnally, the Welding Department, one of the district’s Career and Technical Education Pathways, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of these students.