Pilot Project of Welding Vocational Program

A high school from Marquette County is planning to start a middle college pilot program for students who want to take up welding. The vocational program will allow students to study the craft for five years with the fifth year as their first year in college, which will be paid through the program. The students will get their diplomas during their fifth year in the program.

Jim Derocher, outgoing superintendent of Negaunee Public Schools, said that it was an opportunity for first time college students who were not planning to go to college. They could join the vocational program and get a certificate that would allow them to find work or let them continue their education into a second year and get an associate’s degree at Northern. They cost will be reduced for the students and their families.

Classes for the vocational program will be held at the Negaunee High School and taught by high school teachers who are already adjunct faculty with Northern Michigan University. On the fifth year of the program, the students will take their classes at the Northern Michigan University.

Derocher said that it is a good opportunity for the school district to extend to some students. At present, there are some students that are already interested in taking vocational welding course and have welding as their career path. The program will not add costs for college courses for students who opted for the program.

The program will start this coming August and interviews with students who are interesting in joining the program starts this summer. Marquette Senior High School is said to be starting a similar program as well. This is good news for high school students who want to learn welding and start a career as welders. Graduating from the program will provide them with a certificate and a way into the workforce.