PRESTONSBURG — Big Sandy Community & Technical College partnered with Appalachian Tank in the fall of 2021 to train aluminum welding professionals. In April, Appalachian Tank hired its first 10 full-time manufacturing personnel. All 10 were recruited and trained at the Mayo Campus of BSCTC in Paintsville.

The training program was uniquely and collaboratively developed last fall and the initial practical training began in late November. Ten weeks later, 10 individuals graduated as Appalachian Tank-qualified trained aluminum welders ready to apply their skills as petroleum tank assemblers and welders.

As a result of creativity, talent and motivation between Appalachian Tank, BSCTC and eager learning participants, a thriving operational training program leads directly to full-time employment with Appalachian Tank in Pikeville. The initial training session was the first of five 10-week sessions offering specialized welding training that will potentially lead to full-time employment.

“Through our Workforce Solutions, BSCTC is dedicated to supplying customizable workforce training by operating at the speed of business,” BSCTC Interim President Telly Sellars remarked. “Our work with Appalachian Tank is proof that Eastern Kentucky is ready for new industry, and we are ensuring our workforce is relevant through training. There is great hope and resiliency in the people of our region.”

Sellars says Appalachian Tank and BSCTC are very excited with the initial results of the welding training and are very much looking forward to recruiting, training and hiring further talented individuals into long-term employment.

For more information about this program, please contact Rachelle Burchett, BSCTC Director of Workforce Development at 606-788-2863 or email Rachelle.Burchett@kctcs.edu.