Terra State Board of Trustees Approve Upgrades to Welding Lab

The Terra State Community College Board of Trustees held an emergency board meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022, to discuss the redistribution of capital funds. At this meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the request to transfer $360,000 out of capital funds to cover the cost of upgrading the welding lab in the Rutherford B. Hayes Skilled Trades Center (Building I) on campus.

The College identified the immediate need to expand its welding resources in both equipment and instructors to meet the current job demands of its workforce development partners. This expansion of the welding lab will include 10 additional welding stations.

These efforts have been led by Assistant Dean of Technology and Skilled Trades Nate Kohlenberg. Kohlenberg stated, "Our region depends on manufacturing with over 200 manufacturing establishments in our main three-county service region (Sandusky, Seneca and Ottawa). It's our responsibility to identify and respond to the needs of our manufacturing and education partners. This expansion is an example of us doing exactly that to support and strengthen our region's workforce."

“Terra State Community College is very thankful for the support of Chancellor Randy Gardner and the Terra State Board of Trustees in helping us address the needs of workforce development within our service district. We are also thankful to Governor Mike DeWine for supporting the needs of meeting current workforce demands in the state of Ohio. The College is very proud to play a role in increasing workforce education, training and opportunities of our region,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs William Taylor.