Grant funding will enable Cowley College to expand the welding lab at its Sumner County campus in Wellington, school officials announced Wednesday.
The $41,000 grant is from the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Jobs and Innovative Industry Skills Training Grant. That money, complemented by $49,981 in matching funds from the college, will enable an expansion at the Wellington location.
Since its establishment in 2018, Cowley officials said, the welding facility has operated with nine functional stations out of an intended ten due to outdated equipment and inadequate fume extraction systems. To address these issues and meet the growing demand for skilled welders in our community, Cowley College will utilize the grant to fund the addition of seven new welding stations, complete with modern booths, an advanced extraction system, and updated weld tables.
Cowley College President Michelle Schoon emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “The demand for welding skills has continued to increase in our service area, and we have seen a surge in student interest in the program,” college president Michelle Schoon said.
The expansion will enhance the college’s ability to train more students and ensure a safer and more efficient learning environment. (Continue story below ads.)
Zach Cooper, Director of Cowley College Sumner Campus, said: “With the grant, we can update some of the equipment that we have in the shop, and we are adding two additional seats in the welding classroom to offer opportunities for more students to grow.”
In addition to the grant, Cowley College will contribute matching funds to purchase the new stations, provide in-kind labor for setup, and secure additional metal for the program through donations from local businesses.
