Bonham High School Students Earn Welding Certifications

Posted Date: 11/06/2019

Bonham High School Student Earn Welding Certifications
Bonham ISD
Dr. Faith Ann Cheek, Asst. Superintendent

On March 27, 2019, 15 Bonham High School students earned AWS D9.1 Visual Inspection Certification welding certifications for Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG). In addition, 6 of these students earned an extra certification for AWS D9.1 Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Travis Waddell, Region 10 Consultant for Career and Technical Education, came to BHS and assessed the students in their welding knowledge and technical skill using the AWS industry certification assessment.

These certifications will not only have a positive impact on the employability of these students and their identification to be “career ready” upon graduation but also on the accountability score for BHS in the College, Career, Military Readiness (CCMR) domain for Texas state accountability and the school’s letter grade. CCMR data lags one year so the increase in industry certifications will be realized in the 2020 accountability rating.

“This is a testament to the fantastic instruction being provided by our Ag teacher, Mr. Jacob Brown!” said Principal, Ryan Prock.  Mr. Brown’s welding students have also earned multiple awards this school year including:

Fannin County Fair – Champion Wildlife Class for 14 foot Duck Blind

Cowtown Welding Challenge – 1st Place Team and Best All-Around- School Award

Fort Worth Junior Agriculture Mechanics Show

Adjustable Alleyway with Diverter and Vet Cage – Blue Ribbon in Primary Judging & 2nd

in class 8 Chutes and Head Gate

Cattle Cake Feeder – Blue Ribbon in Primary Judging

San Angelo Junior Agricultural Mechanics Show

Adjustable Alleyway with Diverter and Vet Cage – Blue Ribbon in Primary Judging % 2nd

in class 402 Squeeze Chutes, Livestock Panels, and Restraining Equipment

Cattle Cake Feeder – Red Ribbon in Primary Judging

Brush Grapple – Blue Ribbon in Primary Judging

Employees with an AWS welding certification and a high school diploma have an average starting wage of $20/hr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students in BISD’s Ag Mech & Metal and Ag Fab & Design classes are also completing the 10 hour General Industry OSHA Certification.