Mar 2, 2022
Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson The Utica Shale Academy received a $75,000 donation from Ascent Resources, money that will be used toward construction of an outdoor welding lab for the school. Appearing at an event to celebrate the donation were (from left) Mike Chadsey, director of public relations for Ohio Oil and Gas Association; Amanda Finn, director of government relations for Ascent Resources; Superintendent Bill Watson of Utica Shale Academy; and Brent Riggle, external affairs coordinator of Ascent Resources.
SALINEVILLE — Students learning welding skills through the Utica Shale Academy will soon have a new lab in order to expand those skills, thanks in part to a large donation from Ascent Resources on Tuesday.
Mike Chadsey, director of public relations with Ohio Oil and Gas Association who was part of the group there with Ascent Resources to make the donation said when Ascent Resources learned about a funding shortfall for the school’s latest project, the company decided to step forward and help the Utica Shale Academy educate new welders and potential future employees.
“Really at the end of the day, we’re just a proud partner,” Chadsey said, “and we look forward to seeing this building and all the students who are going to come through it come to fruition.”
Chadsey talked about the plans Utica Shale Academy Superintendent Bill Watson has for the latest property acquisition, which is located across the street from the school’s indoor classroom space in the Hutson Building. Although one building on the new property that may need to come down, the garages behind it are already storing some of the heavy equipment students are learning to operate.
With the $75,000 donation from Ascent Resources, the school plans to create a 20-bay outdoor welding lab that Chadsey explained will help train the kind of future welders and workers the oil and gas industry will need, the kind that know how to work in the elements.
“The students will not just be welders but they’re going to work with earth moving equipment and chain saws and know how to work outside when it’s snowing and work outside when it’s dark and it’s rainy, because we don’t necessarily always work indoors when it’s air conditioned and wearing a T-shirt…This is really going to train tomorrow’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities and we’re just so grateful for being here today,” Chadsey said.
Following the check presentation, those in attendance saw a demonstration by two Utica Shale Academy students practicing on the virtual welding machines from Lincoln Welding, which give them instant feedback as they learn. Once they complete the training on those machines, those students and others in the program will be ready to utilize the new lab outside.
“Kids need to learn how to work in the elements,” Watson said, “because that’s where the jobs are. There will be some heat, sometimes it’s hot and you have to weld in it and sometimes it’s cold and you have to dress for it… The more they can endure the elements the higher the paycheck is going to be.”
Additionally, Watson said the new facilities across the street will give students a chance to learn on heavy equipment and hydraulics, helping them to become well rounded employees.
“When we talk to companies and ask them what they want, they want multi-craft workers and that’s what we’re trying to make,” Watson said. The Utica Shale Academy has grown to help more than 90 students, once in danger of not graduating, to recover the credits they need and learn employable skills along the way.
Matt Gates, who teaches welding and industrial maintenance at the Utica Shale Academy, said this outdoor welding lab will provide a huge opportunity for the students in his classes. He said classes at the school not only focus on teaching industrial skills, but also the importance of hard work, being able to pass a drug test and manners while on the job. While just a few years ago, students getting their first job following graduation could expect to start out at $10 to $15 per hour, now Gates said starting wages are improving to $20 or even $25 per hour.
djohnson@mojonews.com
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