It opened its doors last school year, right in the middle of the COVID pandemic. That made for a bit of a letdown, with students shuttling back and forth between in-person and virtual lessons.
It felt like a soft opening, which was a bit anticlimactic after the excitement of getting the place built.
But this year with the kids fully back, things have returned to close to normal at BCTC. And that means the new welding facility gets to finally show off all that it has to offer.
And that's quite a bit.
Dale Roberts, one of two welding instructors at BCTC, said the new facility gives students the ability to experience pretty much everything they'll come across in the real world.
"It's pretty much a full shop here," he said. "There's not much you can't do. We can make anything industry can make."
That wasn't true for the welding program's old home. That was inside a building built in the 1970s that had never gone through a proper renovation.
And there wasn't enough space to handle the demand for the program, which year after year had a lengthy waitlist.
"One of the reasons why we built this was because we couldn't meet the demand," said John Reedy, BCTC's chief financial officer and director of adult continuing education. "We just simply didn't have the room."
The imposing, expansive brick building that now sits tucked in the back of the BCTC west campus in Bern Township changed that.
The new facility has a classroom, locker rooms and large workshop. That workshop is split in half, with one side filled with 38 welding booths and the other set up for students to practice fabrication.
"It's set up like a real shop," Roberts said.
There are three more outdoor welding booths at the site, giving students a chance to experience working in the elements. And there's also a welding robot — just like the kind used by industry — and a pair of augmented reality training machines that allow students to practice before venturing into the shop to try to real thing.
The new building has allowed the program to continue to expand its enrollment. Right now there are 82 enrolled, more than double the 40 enrolled back in 2015.
Building the facility, a project that got its start back in 2018, cost about $3.6 million, Reedy said.
"It was well worth it," he said. "If you look at our ability to educate our students, it has paid off."
Roberts agreed, saying that the welding program has historically produced high-in-demand graduates who have no trouble finding work. And the new facility just amplifies that.
"When they go to a shop, they'll have more than the average employee," he said. "I think we're way past entry level with what we're doing."
Roberts said the program gives students a background in every aspect of welding. And students can acquire as many as 10 different certifications as they learn.
And that will set them up for a bright future, Roberts said.
"You can leave here with the skills to get a career," he said. "Not a job, but a lifelong career. If you want to."
Roberts said the job market for welders has never been better. Many experienced welders are retiring, and companies are eager to find skilled replacements.
And they're willing to pay handsomely, even while students are still in school. Roberts said the welding program has a robust co-op program where students can work while they learn. Students can get paid as much as $17 to $21 per hour for their labor.
"Companies everywhere are stepping up their wages," Roberts said.
While the program is still settling into its new digs, Roberts was quick to point out that its growth is far from done. He said the facility was built with the future in mind, set up to be easily expanded.
He said he can picture an even bigger building and a third instructor added to the mix. But for now, he's happy just taking advantage of what the new facility has to offer.
"It really is great," he said.
OPEN HOUSE
Welding is only one of 34 programs available at the Berks Career and Technology Center's.
High school students or adults interested in enrolling in one have a chance to check out the different programs in person at upcoming open house events.
The west campus at 1057 County Welfare Road in Bern Township will hold an open house Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The east campus at 3307 Friedensburg Road in Oley Township will hold an open house on Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
A preview of the open houses can be viewed at BerksCareer.com/OpenHouse beginning Nov. 1.
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