Welding Instructor strives to help with national welder shortage

According to figures released by the American Welding Society (AWS), the country is now enduring a welder shortage that will intensify for years to come. In order to help meet that demand, Halifax Community College Welding Department Head/Instructor Jason Shotwell is focused on filling some of those vacancies with skilled, certified welders.
Shotwell is an alum of HCC. He earned a GED from HCC and then a diploma in the Industrial Maintenance program where he was first introduced to the art of welding. He went on to earn a diploma in welding and to become a certified welder through the college. Afterwards, Shotwell worked at Davis Certified Welding and Ceco Building Systems. He then earned as associate’s degree from Nash Community College and later became employed at HCC where he has been for four years.
While at HCC, Shotwell has become a certified welding inspector and welding educator through the AWS, which was made possible through a Perkins Grant. He has also had the opportunity to go to welding schools at Lincoln Electric in Georgia and Hobart Institute of Technology in Ohio. “I enjoy teaching and certifying students and seeing how my graduates are doing in the workforce,” he says.

“My dream is to make a difference in some child’s life, and some day it will become true.”

HCC student Carol Whitaker really wants to make a difference. The Associate in Arts (Teacher Prep) student plans to transfer to Elizabeth City State University after graduation in 2009 to become a teacher—ultimately for first graders.
The Enfield native and Southeast Halifax High School graduate chose to attend HCC because it was close to home. “I always wanted to be a teacher so I thought I should get started close to home.” She would like to be able to stay in Halifax County and teach in one of the area schools.
While at HCC, Whitaker has been a work study student in Student Services and has helped as a volunteer for various events. She is a scholarship recipient, an Ambassador, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society where she serves as its induction officer for the 2008-09 school year and maintains a 3.82 GPA. She is also a mentor, an usher board member, secretary of the Awana Youth program and a Vacation Bible School teacher at her church.
After graduating from high school, Whitaker went to work at Tyco Plastics, not realizing it was a dead end job. “After 17 years, I realized that I no longer wanted a job, I wanted a career. The only thing I regret is not going to college sooner.”