Western Welding Academy visits Fannin High School

  • Fannin County High School welding instructor Terry Flowers, left, and advisory board member Devin Johnson, admire the work of student Emmaline Cochran, right.
    Fannin County High School welding instructor Terry Flowers, left, and advisory board member Devin Johnson, admire the work of student Emmaline Cochran, right.
  • Nate Ponder of Western Welding Academy demonstrates proper technique during the academy’s stop at Fannin County High School. Ponder told students that jobs are plentiful in all trades, not just welding.
    Nate Ponder of Western Welding Academy demonstrates proper technique during the academy’s stop at Fannin County High School. Ponder told students that jobs are plentiful in all trades, not just welding.
  • When Western Welding Academy visited Fannin County High School (FCHS) last week, welding instructor Terry Flowers invited schools from other counties to attend. FCHS was the only Georgia school visited by the academy.
    When Western Welding Academy visited Fannin County High School (FCHS) last week, welding instructor Terry Flowers invited schools from other counties to attend. FCHS was the only Georgia school visited by the academy.

    The Western Welding Academy visited Fannin County High School (FCHS) as a part of their Blue Collar Tour to offer students the opportunity to learn about trades.

    The welding academy is currently traveling to 30 different high schools in 30 days during a 60 day time period. According to the academy’s marketing director, Beau Barkley, their main goal “is to go into these schools and really influence the kids to think about trade rather than just going to college.” Barkley said that “college is great if that’s a field you want to go into, but it doesn’t have to be the first choice.”

    Barkley also talked about the high demand for employees in trades. He said, “We are in dire need...everyone’s retired, and we don’t have people to fill those holes, so we need kids that are willing to do the work.”

    FCHS teacher Terry Flowers spoke fondly of the academy’s visit saying, “I think that being able to have Western Welding here is letting us reach a lot of kids we wouldn’t normally get to reach. We’ve got so many other teachers who are allowing their kids to come and be a part of it; some of these kids have never even come to my shop, and now they’re getting to see something that we can’t to do here...it’s a once in a lifetime chance they’ll ever get to see it.”

    Fannin County School System’s Chief Academic Officer Lucas Roof spoke in favor of Flowers and his efforts working toward teaching students trade. He said, “I am extremely proud of our FCHS welding teacher Mr. Terry Flowers and our FCHS CTAE Supervisor Mr. David Henson for their dedication to our students and our welding program.  It took a lot of hard work and organization on their behalf to pull off an event like this.  This event positively impacted the lives of the students involved along with their futures.”

    Western Welding Academy is the only pipe welding school in the country that is solely owned and operated by real pipeline/pipe welders, and they have a large social media presence. They currently have around 1.6 million followers covering all social media platforms. Barkley said that last year they were able to reach millions of  people through views.

    To learn more about the Western Welding Academy, visit their website at www.westernweldingacademy.com or follow them on their social media platforms @westernweldingacademy.