Trending
Utica Shale Academy senior Colton Amstutz works in one of the bays of the Ascent Resources Welding, the latest facility to train students through the Utica Shale Academy. (Submitted photo)
State and local officials joined education and business leaders for the unveiling of the Ascent Resources Welding Lab Sept. 12 in Salineville, the latest facility to train students through the Utica Shale Academy. The site includes 20 bays and could train upwards of 100 students to work in weather conditions to better prepare them for the job. (Submitted photo)
SALINEVILLE - State, local and business leaders got a glimpse of the newest offering at the Utica Shale Academy which will help expose students to real-world working conditions.
Dozens of officials representing education, business and the community gathered for the unveiling of the Ascent Resources Welding Lab located adjacent to the Hutson Building on East Main Street in Salineville Sept. 12. The facility features 20 exterior welding bays and room for storage and would serve upwards of 100 students. USA Superintendent Bill Watson said the purpose is to introduce pupils to welding in the elements so they know what is expected on the job.
"We were going to New Castle School of Trades [in East Liverpool] and the students were getting a great education there, but we were looking at where they were going after they graduated. We didn't feel they were ready for the climate in the oil and gas industry," Watson said. "It's one thing to weld when it's 70 degrees outside, but it's another when it is cold. That's the nature of the welding lab: They will be in the elements and we wanted them to really train and be prepared for these jobs."
The site has been nearly two years in the making and was finally completed last week. He said the concept was based on an idea by instructor Matt Gates and may be among the first of its kind in the state; however, a funding shortfall nearly shelved the project until Ascent stepped up to help.
"When the last [state biennial budget bill] came out, we were one of two school districts that lost funding," Watson explained. "We wouldn't have funding to create the lab. Amanda Finn of Ascent contacted us and asked what they could do to make it happen. We are so grateful to them, so we named it the Ascent Resources Outdoor Welding Lab because we couldn't have done this without them."
Ascent contributed $75,000 to help erect the facility while Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were also used. SkyOxygen of Pittsburgh constructed the one-story building and Watson said five cohorts of 20 students can utilize the lab.
Finn, who serves as director of external affairs for Ascent, said company CEO Jeff Fisher noticed a news article on the funding shortage impacting USA's project and immediately decided to lend a hand.
"He reached out and asked what we could do to help, and I reached out to Bill and found out they needed $75,000 to begin the project," she added, saying a donation was made soon afterwards.
"We heard about a need and were in a position to help," continued Bob Kelly, senior vice president for Ascent Resources. "There is a shortage of skilled trade workers nationwide, so I'm happy we're able to help out with training these young people."
Kelly said there is a constant demand for skilled people with a strong work ethic, and that's been in great supply within the region.
"That's one thing we're finding repeatedly here," he said. "It's been great to hire local people. They are hard workers and salt of the earth, and they have similar values to what we have. Ohio is a great place to work and do business."
Tuesday's event drew members of the Salineville Village Council, Columbiana and Carroll County Commissions, Mahoning-Columbiana Training Association (MCTA), state legislation, Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Utica Shale Academy Board of Directors and Southern Local School District. Those in attendance welcomed the site and said it will serve a great purpose for students, business and the community as a whole.
Ohio Rep. Al Cutrona, R-58th District, presented a proclamation from the Statehouse recognizing the community school for its successful efforts in preparing today's students for tomorrow's workforce with the skillsets they need for industry jobs.
"To see this collaboration is wonderful," added Ohio Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-79th District. "At the end of the day, the students are here to succeed and our job is to support them."
David Johnson, operator of Summitville Tiles, said USA has provided workers for his business and thanked the school for its efforts.
"We have a labor shortage in the area…and I appreciate the initiative you are taking," Johnson commented.
"I think this is a wonderful educational opportunity for these young people who want to be involved in vocational training. The jobs they will have will be high paying and the oil and gas industry will be looking for this type of expertise," said Columbiana County Commissioner Mike Halleck. "The board of commissioners has been supporters since its inception and will continue to be."
"It's nice to bring to life buildings that were closed and to see how the Salineville community has embraced the growth," said USA Board Treasurer Robert Barrett. "It's good for the community and it's all positive."
USA has been expanding its campus and currently includes the Hutson Building, which houses general classrooms and Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) programming through the JCESC; the Utica Energy Center at the former Huntington Bank, which is in partnership with Youngstown State University and offers megatronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, AC/DC electric, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's), diesel mechanics and horticulture for students and adults; and the newly opened Utica Shale Academy Community Center on Church Street, which includes a fitness center and certified health workers for further support. School leaders are also reviewing plans to construct a new, two-story building next to the welding lab for classrooms, machinery and facilities for students working with heavy equipment operation and CNC plasma cutting, plus they have met with state officials to tour the former Williams Energy district office at 10 E. Main St. for classrooms, exterior welding labs and health-based programs while the lower level is being eyed as a hospitality hub for the Sustainable Opportunity Development (SOD) Center based in Salem.
USA is a dropout recovery-and-retention school focusing on career-tech education for at-risk students who have obtained more than 1,100 certifications since 2021. It utilizes blended learning and hands-on training to prepare the future workforce and currently has 190 students enrolled in grades 9-12 with plans to add seventh- and eighth-grade students at the Hutson Building in the future.