Shelby Price and Emily Baker sign to further their welding education at WVNCC.

The Wetzel County Tech Center held Welding signing day on Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Tech Center on Rt. 7, New Martinsville.

Steve Starkey, welding instructor at the tech center, gave a brief talk on the welding students and the program at the center. He said the policy of the welding class is number one make sure your work is done safely, number two take care of the environment and number three make sure to do quality work. He said if you can’t do any of that, then stop and ask someone for help. If you can do it with a positive attitude and a smile on your face then companies will be able to train you and you’ll be productive employees for them. He added the goal is to turn out quality workers for industry in the Ohio Valley and this region.

Haden Miller, field representative from U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office, spoke and offered words of encouragement to the students and thanked the Wetzel County School system and the tech center for the work they’ve put into providing opportunities for students to further their education and to prepare them to enter the workforce. He stated Capito is hard at work and very busy trying to bring industry to West Virginia. He also thanked the parents and grandparents of students who helped the students during their time at the tech center.

Laborers Local 1149 – was present to welcome Alan Cain and Brook Grey, both welding graduates of the Tech Center to the labor force. Cain who is from Pine Grove and has been at the tech center for his junior and senior years signed on with the laborers union as did Grey who is from Paden City and has also trained for two years at the tech center. Justin Grey representing the Laborers Union said the two would start work and would be compensated as they progress through the union’s training period.

Also Shelby Price and Emily Baker both completed the program at the Tech Center and will further their education at WVNCC. They both signed as Cutis Hippensteel of WVNCC looked on.

Noah Smith also signed from the tech center to attend Fairmont State University where he is a possible walk on baseball player as well. He was welcomed by Ryan Lowther of FSU admission.

Chad Stokes Corporate Tech Recruiter for Cleveland Brothers Caterpillar welcomed Gaige Royer, a student at the tech center to employment with his company.

Kreed Scyoc signed on from the tech center with Covestro represented by Assistant Plant Manager Jay Leep.

American Heavy Plate, a company located in the old Ormet building at Hannibal, was represented by H.R. Manager Tru Jorris who welcomed two new hires from the tech center Walker Klug and Evan Phillips.

In closing J.C. Kimble, WCTEC director, thanked all those in attendance. He stressed the hard work the students put in and told them if they ever need any assistance to please reach out to him or their instructor’s. He also offered thanks to the parents and families of the students and told the students to always remember how much their parents help them. He said the students make him proud of the work going on at the center, which helps them move into the workforce and become productive citizens.

Following the signing refreshments from the school cafeteria were made available.