Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s June 12, 2015 edition.
The article, titled “Rosedale Introduces Welding Program to Meet Employers’ Demands,” chronicled the program’s popularity by interviewing current welding students, staff, and Dennis Wilke, Rosedale’s president and director.
and pipe, arc, MIG, and TIG welding.
The program is already drawing qualified students from several counties away, and skillful recruiting measures have found potential students who live in surrounding states.
100 Percent Job Placement
Mr. Wilke points out that there are more jobs available than there are welders, which means that most of Rosedale’s students will have a job waiting for them before they even graduate from that program. That’s also true for many of Rosedale’s other trades, which include electrical, diesel, automotive, HVAC, truck driving, and industrial maintenance.
Rosedale partners with area employers to ensure that students who complete the College’s programs have learned and are competent in all necessary skills required for positions in the trades industry. Additionally, Rosedale holds career fairs that allow students and employers to meet and talk about available positions.
Oil and Gas Industry Requires Skilled Welders
Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry has increased a great deal just in the past five years. Companies involved with oil and gas production and by-products are seeking qualified trades workers, especially those who are welders or operate diesel equipment. This is a perfect time to establish a trades career, as Marcellus Shale’s expansion has created nearly 16,000 jobs that will need to be filled.
Besides taking positions with oil and gas employers, many Rosedale welding students are using their welding training to become entrepreneurs and open their own businesses. Next year, Rosedale is planning to add a new program to their roster: Applied Business Management, which will teach students how to run a business by focusing not only on technical skills but also marketing, management, and accounting.
As Rosedale continues to grow, the College is expanding their main building by constructing a second floor. It’s also adding night classes to capture non-traditional students.