Nov. 7th Hands-on Welding Expo Ignites Students’ Career Paths to Local Industry
Event introduces local, profitable career choice and Rock Your Future program

WACO, Texas – More than 520 high school students from 20 school districts will attend the second annual Welding Expo, taking advantage of the opportunity to use a virtual reality welding machine, cutting tables and welding equipment, as they learn about welding as a viable career path here in Central Texas. Welding can also provide a job only a few years after high school graduation, if not immediately after.

Sponsored by Matheson Gas, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12’s Welding Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7. The event will be held at ESC Region 12 (Building 3) at 5749 Bagby Avenue, across from Central United Methodist Church. This unique career showcase will promote welding as an option for not only a realistic, local career, but also a long-term and profitable career for both men and women. "We have a real shortage of welders in our industry, and the only way we're going to be able to grow this industry is to get the word out that there are viable options in this field," Bryan Parson, Manager with Matheson Gas in Waco, said.

ESC Region 12 seeks to provide opportunities for career and technical educators to learn more about career choices available to their students. This event provides that for educators, but also offers students the chance to experience this option in a hands-on, demo-style environment.

Caterpillar Industries is attending the event as a vendor to recruit future employees. They are bringing equipment to display, and will also speak with students looking to begin a welding career. Lincoln Electric will also showcase its new virtual reality welding machine. This computer-based training system is an educational tool designed to allow students to practice their welding technique in a simulated environment. It promotes the efficient and effective transfer of skills from the virtual training environment to the weld booth.

The expo spurs from Generation TX’s “Rock Your Future” program. The purpose of the program is to inspire students to focus on their future plans, particularly their college and career goals. The program offers tips and opportunities to middle and high school students on ways to be prepared and get ahead.

Schools registered to participate include: Abbott, Aquilla, Bosqueville, Bruceville-Eddy, China Spring, Clifton, Connally, Covington, Cranfills Gap, Dawson, Evant, Hubbard, Marlin, Mart, Midway, Rice, Robinson, Teague, Walnut Springs and West ISD.

For more information on the Welding Expo, contact Chris Holecek at 254.297.1284 or cholecek@esc12.net. To register their students for this free event through Nov. 5, teachers can visit www.esc12.net and use session number 38716. More information on the “Rock Your Future” campaign and college planning tips can be found on the Generation TX web site at http://gentx.org/rockyourfuture.

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About ESC Region 12
One of 20 regional education service centers statewide, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to serving school districts, charter schools and area private/parochial schools in elevating student achievement. ESC Region 12 partners with schools of all sizes to improve educator success by enhancing skills, bridging financial gaps through resource development, and building alliances with the local communities.

Based in Waco, with satellite offices in Corsicana, Hamilton, Nolanville and Teague, ESC Region 12’s service area includes 77 school districts from Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, McLennan, Mills and Navarro counties.