(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Student Emily Baker demonstrates her welding skills during the Wetzel Technical Education Center in New Martinsville during an open house there on Feb. 6.

NEW MARTINSVILLE – Wetzel and Tyler County students, parents and community members got the chance to see what the Wetzel Technical Education Center has to offer during an open house held on Feb. 6.

The technical center opened in 2018 and is open to Wetzel and Tyler County’s sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. Seniors are given the option to spend the entire school day at the tech center in one of their chosen programs.

Center Director James Kimble said the free training received at the tech center gives students the option to enter the workforce soon after graduation or continue their careers in college or a trade school if they choose to do so.

“We had a few students last year who signed with the laborers’ union and went to work a month after graduation,” he said. “We want them to be prepared for that next level of their life.”

Drafting/Graphic Design

Rex Rush, instructor of drafting/design, graphic design and robotics/drone flight programs, said the students learn a variety of skills including computer aided design. Students learn how to make signage, printed T-shirts, sublimation printing, vinyl cutting, 3-D design and printing and laser engraving.

“We use software that is used in actual industries so when the kids get out and decide what they want to do, if they want to continue their careers in engineering or drafting this would be the softwares they use in college and in the workforce,” Rush said, adding the students use the software for free.

“People have the misconception that if you come to the tech center you can’t go to college. Well, that’s the total opposite. We’re just giving you some certifications and background in what you may be interested in, and then if you decide not to go to college then you have a skill or certification to work in the trades or you can go on to college and further your education.”

Baking & Pastry, Pro-Start

Chef Gary Cardelein, instructor for the bakery and pastry and ProStart programs, said he has 40 years of experience working in a variety of kitchens including fine dining in Cleveland. The large professional kitchen at the tech center is brand new. To get ready for the open house, his students were busy baking and decorating cupcakes and cookies and making pepperoni rolls for the visitors to eat. They were also being graded on this work.

“I tell the students all the time that my industry is the largest employer of high school and college age kids because we have very flexible schedules,” he said. “Students say, I’m not going to end up in the food industry, but you do. It might not be your career but while you’re in college or looking for the right job, here’s where you end up. … Some of them find out it pays pretty good. Servers in a nice place, they’re like, I’m making a lot of money. So I’m trying to pass that along. When they leave here they have their certifications they need, and training they need so they can start at a higher paying position because now the company doesn’t have to pay money for training.”

In addition to the baking and cooking skills, the students also study to get their food handlers card and ServeSafe. They also learn about food allergens and safety and sanitation.

Health Science

Brenna Clark, a senior student in the Health Science program, said she will leave with a few certifications before beginning her career in nursing at Marshall University. She said this is her second year in the program and she is really enjoying it. In addition to classroom work there is hands-on training on how to care for patients, take blood, and learn how to use various types of equipment including reading EKGs and more.

“It’s a lot more one-on-one time with your instructors. In my personal experience, the people here really care not just about doing their jobs well, but making sure we understand and are passionate about what we’re doing. So it’s really nice being with like-minded students who care about their education,” Clark said. “It kind of feels like high school, but on steroids. It’s a little more intense than a high school setting, but it keeps us on our toes.”

Welding

Steve Starkey, instructor for the welding program, said he likes to describe his two-year program as a new beginning for any student who enters it.

“Whenever you come here, it’s a fresh start for you. I don’t know you and you don’t know me and you can start completely fresh,” he said. “If you’re looking for a fresh start and you like to work with your hands, then this is the place to come to. It’s an atmosphere where everyone is treated fairly.”

Starkey said he begins with the basics of learning how to use hand tools and measuring and then on to power tools, grinders and saws. Then the students begin learning how to use cutting torches, plasma cutters, carbon arc cutters, and then on to various types of welding including stick, MIG, and TIG.

“The whole time we’re doing that safety is intermingled with that every day. We want everybody to leave here just like they came here,” he said.

They also receive different types of OSHA construction training. There is also the opportunity to receive training and certifications in forklift and oil rig pass.

“Employers, come talk to us. We’re always looking for placements for our students after graduation and possibly for co-oping opportunities during high school, please come talk to us employers,” Starkey added.

Electrical

Richard Hearn, instructor for the electrical program and a master electrician, said his students start with the basics including the math needed for the trade. The students then begin to install electrical for homes, commercial spaces and then some industrial work. The students also learn how to install a solar-powered system.

Hearn noted when they graduate they are eligible to take the state licensing test.

“We’re preparing them to go into the workforce or to college. We don’t care which direction they go … We want to give them a chance to learn a trade and make a living and have a good future,” he said.

TeachWV/Grown Your Own

Belinda Baker, instructor for the TeacherWV/Grown Your Own program, said this is the first year for her program at the tech center. She said the students learn the basics of classroom instruction and also discover what grades they would be interested in teaching. Some students start believing they want to teach a certain grade, but after field experience sometimes change their minds.

“They get to do field experience … They get to go in and be hands-on with the students. So they really like that part,” she said. “They’re learning what grades they like. I’m making them broaden their horizons.”

The four college courses taught include introduction to education, computer, educational psychology and exceptional/diverse students with disabilities. The students are given credits via Glenville College, but the credits can be transferred to other colleges.