CATE TRIP TO SCE&G POWER PLANT FOR WELDING STUDENTS - TEACHER, MR. EVON ROBINSON

The advanced Welding students of Thunderbolt Career & Technology Center, who are under the leadership of Mr. Evon Robinson, toured the SCE&G Power Plant on Thursday, April 25, 2013.  Mr. Kevin Wicker, the Plant Manager, openly welcomed the Welding students to tour the facility that is located on Augusta Hwy in Walterboro, SC. 

There were 12 Advanced Welding Students in attendance, who were accompanied by Mr. Robinson, Ms. Betty Broughton, and Ms. Kimberly Footman that toured the facility.  We were required to wear hard hats and safety glasses to tour the facility.  Mr. Wicker shared with the students and the staff the overall operations of the plant and how the employees use their work skills to do their particular jobs.  We were shown different parts of machines, and some material that is made from the coal. 

Here are some reflections from the SCE&G Plant tour that a couple of students shared:  “I think the field trip to SCE&G Power Plant opened a lot of doors for me in careers.  When we went there, I had my ears stuck on Mr. Wicker’s presentation the entire time!  I was very interested in what they have to offer.  I am a Welder student at Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center, and it was said that this training now, will increase our chances of getting the job because it’s very hard to find good Welders.  He also told us that TCTC has a good name because of the people that have gotten hired and worked there in the past.  Before I went on this trip, I was considering going in the Army because I didn’t want to really go to a four year college, but when I went to this trip, it is apparent that I want to work at the SCE&G Power Plant.  I can really say that this was a life changing event for me!”~by Marquez Cannady; “My trip to the SCE&G Power Plant in Canadys was a good experience.  On the trip, I learned that they actually employ several welders there, and that they are very important to keep the plant functioning.  It was shared how the plant operates and some of the jobs that the Welders do.  They told us that they could send employees to school to get welding certification.  When they told us that, it made me consider working for them so that I could become a certified Welder.  Since I am in the welding class at TCTC, it seems like that would be a good plan for me in my future to have a good job, especially knowing that the starting salary is approximately $20/hour.  And once you get promoted, you can make almost $40/hr or better.  It was said that the welding jobs were most important in repairing the pipes that run along the inside of the burners.  The salary makes me really consider working in this career choice.  Overall, I think the trip there was a great learning experience for us all.