AEDC Model Shop sparks the interest of Grundy County students

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  A group of 18 welding students from Grundy County High School recently visited AEDC to take a tour of the Manufacturing and Construction Services facility, known on base as the Model Shop.

Walt Bishop, ATA Test Support Branch manager, introduced the students to several key Model Shop staff and explained that the shop is where the hardware for most of the AEDC test projects starts.

In touring the facility, the students had the opportunity to watch ATA craftsman Chester Stovall use a tungsten inert gas (TIG) welder to join pieces of metal together. Of Stovall's presentation, Grundy County student Gannon Byers exclaimed, "It was awesome!"

Though welding may look "cool," the group learned it takes a good amount of skill, and before starting at AEDC, all welders must pass a quality test. Then, after being hired, a welder's work is continually reviewed by trained technicians from the Non Destructive Examination Lab who use various technologies to assess the quality of their welds.

"To give an idea of the variety of the expertise we require here, there are over 10,000 different welding procedures required that ultimately support our testing," Bishop said.

"I was very impressed with the class. The Grundy County welding program, currently headed up by Robin Dykes and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director Gina Sons, is well respected beyond middle Tennessee and has produced some of the finest welding talent we have."

The students were encouraged to hone their skills and consider attending a technical college once they graduate.

"If they want to take their trade seriously they need to plan on attending a vocational school when they graduate from high school and to continue learning the fundamentals," Bishop said. "In fact, they should be prepared for a career of education beyond the vocational school. What they learn now will only be a foundation for what they will use five years from now."

From the look on the students' faces during their tour, it's quite possible that they'll be returning to AEDC in the next few years when looking for a career.

Bishop stated he hopes this is the case, as more welders will be needed soon.

"The average age of a welder in the United States is 63. What this means is that in five to 10 years the demand for welders will be increasing and we really need to support and encourage the local CTE programs and their students. The future is bright for the students who are not only skilled but are also not afraid to work.

"We hope that this tour helped to inspire some of the students to make a serious career out of welding and to give them some insight into what they can do if they are ambitious and are willing to plan on a career of learning new technologies."

AEDC currently has about 47 welders at the Model Shop and more than 100 others across the Complex.

"The role of the Model Shop is to provide manufacturing and construction services to AEDC," Bishop said. "This could be anything from fabricating and installing test and plant hardware, completing large maintenance efforts or manufacturing test articles."

He added AEDC welders must also be dedicated and willing to do tough jobs.

"[Our welders] are not only expected to produce acceptable welds but most are very proficient at welding in large ducting in awkward positions dealing with dissimilar metals and perform some welds so small a microscope and laser are required. Many times they weld in confined spaces, in baskets suspended by cranes while contending with weather or standing in the sun in the heat of summer wearing all of their leather gear and Personal Protective Equipment."

Having skilled welders is vital in producing the various parts needed for the testing performed at the Complex.

"The potential impact of a welder lacking the necessary skills could be catastrophic here," Bishop said. "Equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars and most importantly the lives of many of our employees absolutely depend on our welders having the skills to produce structurally sound welds. Skilled and talented welding craftsmen are an absolute necessity."

As a way to contribute to the success of GCHS's welding students, ATA recently provided the school with a $2,500 donation.

Sons stated the donation from ATA will be of great benefit to the school's welding program.

"The money was a tremendous help in supplying welding program with consumables," she said. "Thank you so much for helping us as we financially struggle through this year."

She also thanked Walt Bishop for his help in organizing the tour of the Model Shop, encouraging other local schools to take the opportunity to visit the facility.

"I was very impressed with the tour. It was very informative and employees were receptive of questions and very knowledgeable. When students can actually tour a facility in a CTE program area and talk with employees, they become more interested in planning their careers in specific areas. I would highly recommend touring this facility by all CTE welding programs in all surrounding counties."