Drake State Community & Technical College last month launched its Welding Bootcamp to spark individuals’ interest in the field.

The school on Wednesday announced that it is gifting new career technical skills for the holiday season through three additional low-cost bootcamps. Individuals have the opportunity to acquire a new skill in under eight hours with a certified Drake State instructor in the fields of artistic design welding, machine tool and oil change safety inspection.

Drake State apprenticeships and career placement coordinator Davian Talley made mention of the school’s role in meeting industry workforce demands.

“You can develop a gift this Christmas season by learning how to change your engine oil or by welding a beautiful sculpture for your loved one,” said Talley. “Not only are these skills in demand, but also an enjoyable activity for you and your friends.”

He added, “These bootcamps are also beneficial to industry leaders because they’re leaning on us to recruit new workers and upskill current employees. They’re allowing us to host bootcamps at their businesses.”

The institution advised that the bootcamps are designed to place students on a pathway toward certification that could prove beneficial in future advanced manufacturing career opportunities.

According to Drake State, up to 10 participants can partake in a private group class at a flat rate. Additionally, personal protection equipment may be purchased or rented at a supplemental cost.

To register for the January bootcamps, individuals may visit the college’s bootcamp webpage or contact the school via telephone.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL