Welding Program Honored with
National Excellence in Action Award

Butte College's welding program was among nine programs recognized nationally as "Excellence in Action" award winners, representing the best Career Technical Education (CTE) has to offer. The programs of study were selected based on their uniquely inventive and effective approaches to stimulating student learning, offering extensive work-based learning experiences and increasing student career prospects.

Butte College received the award from the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) as a result of their exemplary business partnerships, extensive job placement opportunities and detailed alignment with secondary education and certification programs, providing students with the skills they need to enter a living wage career within the Manufacturing Career Cluster. BGCC representatives accepted the honor at an award luncheon and reception as part of the NASDCTEc Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"Butte College is a leader in articulation agreements in the region, with the greatest concentration within welding programs," said Don Robinson, Welding Technology Department Chair/Instructor at Butte College. "This pathway provides a pipeline of high-skilled students who meet the demands of the labor market."
Robinson said it's been ideal for students in high school to take two pre-requisite courses before enrolling in the welding program. He added that the program attracts 55 students annually and has had a good job-placement track record, but last year it hit 100 percent, due in part to the economy and local industry partners.
"These Excellence in Action award winners are incredibly successful – graduating their students at above average rates, building strong industry and community partnerships, and increasing students' chances to obtain degrees and industry-recognized credentials preparing them for successful career in high-wage, high-demand fields." said NASDCTEc Executive Director, Kimberly Green. "We believe by lifting up such examples of excellence in action we can help build the critical awareness and support high-quality CTE programs of study need to thrive and succeed."