Northwest-Shoals Community College’s (NW-SCC) Welding program on the Phil Campbell campus will graduate two students this spring with a short term certificate in Welding.
What is so special about this you may ask?
Well, Russellville High School seniors, Jordan Baker and Brandon Mitchell will accomplish the rare feat of graduating from college before high school.
Baker and Mitchell will be the first people to tell you that the welding program at Russellville and at NW-SCC completely changed their career plans.
“A buddy of mine was in the welding program at Russellville and he talked me into trying it,” said Baker.
“I would have done something completely different. I am already recommending it (the welding program) to others (at Russellville H.S.).”
On the other hand, Mitchell has been very familiar with welding since an early age. “My dad’s a welder,” said Mitchell.
“I’ve pretty much been around it my whole life, but I didn’t know it was what I wanted to do for a living until I started the Dual Enrollment program.”
The two Russellville High School seniors began the program in their 10th grade year and will finish high school having completed 24 hours of college credit. According to NW-SCC Welding Instructor Brian Keeton, the two students have already made a terrific decision by taking advantage of the Dual Enrollment Dual Credit program and completing their Welding short term certificate.
“That really makes a statement to prospective employers,” says Keeton. “They not only completed high school but took their summers and applied themselves to their career choice while all their friends were out having fun. That kind of dedication puts those two leaps and bounds ahead others in the employer’s eyes.”
Baker and Mitchell are very proud of what they have accomplished at such a young age and are ready for whatever their future holds.
“I mean we are two 17 year olds that will graduate from college before high school,” says Mitchell. “I think that says a lot.” Both students are hopeful they will be able to finish their Associate degree at NW-SCC with possibly a minor in Machine Shop after they graduate high school. However, if they have to go to work right out of high school, they feel better about that option now.
“With what they have now (Welding short term certificate) they can go through the AIDT training program and start out any where from $12-$16 per hour with a company such as Navistar,” said Keeton.
Currently, the Dual Enrollment Dual Credit program at NW-SCC accounts for approximately 12 percent of the 2012 spring semester enrollment.
A total of 504 academic and career tech students are currently enrolled in the program which includes classes on the Phil Campbell and Shoals campus as well as 14 off-site locations.