Praxair Skills Pipeline Students Graduate from Louisiana Colleges

DANBURY, CT – Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) recently announced that nearly 100 welding students are graduating from the company’s inaugural “Skills Pipeline” program in Louisiana. Additionally, the company announced it will continue to support the program in 2016 through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS).

Skills Pipeline, funded by Praxair’s Global Giving Program, provided more than $300,000 to train approximately 100 new welders in an accelerated one-year curriculum through Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College and SOWELA Technical Community College. With the newly announced second phase in Louisiana, Praxair will have provided more than $500,000 to create a talented pipeline of welders in the state.

“This collaboration to help develop a skilled workforce is critical to Praxair, our customers and Louisiana and we are proud to celebrate with our graduates who have worked so hard over the past year to develop and hone their craft,” says Anne Roby, senior vice president at Praxair. “We also want to thank our partners in this endeavor, the LCTCS and the State of Louisiana, whose support was essential to the success of this program.”

Skills Pipeline is the most recent community engagement initiative demonstrating Praxair’s commitment to advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. By 2016, Praxair will have invested more than $1 million in welding workforce development through Skills Pipeline. The company will also be expanding the program to other areas across the country next year.

“I'm so proud of the graduates of this program and happy to celebrate the success of the WISE legislation,” says Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley. “Praxair has been a willing partner and we appreciate their stepping up to the plate to become the prime example of what industry-academia-governmental collaborations can do. The graduation of these new welders helps to close the gap of skilled professionals, as Louisiana welcomes continued economic development in our state and we continue the drive to increase our skilled work force.”

“The partnership and commitment from Praxair to continue investing in our students, our colleges and the workforce of Louisiana is extraordinary,” says Monty Sullivan, president of the LCTCS. “We are proud of our students and their accomplishments in completing the Skills Pipeline program, as well as their transition into the workforce.”

The scholarships provided students access to an accelerated AWS Level 1 SENSE curriculum as well as career-readiness content from Praxair. Courses in the AWS curriculum included:

  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
  • Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
  • Manual Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (OFC)
  • Mechanized Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (OFC)
  • Manual Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)
  • Manual Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A)

Praxair has a long history of sparking creativity in welding. Through its Praxair Distribution, Inc. business, the company is a leading supplier of proprietary welding, cutting, specialty and medical gases, as well as welding-related equipment and supplies.

Featured

  • DLR Group Hires Higher Education Business Development Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that Senior Associate Megan Todd will serve as its new Higher Education Business Development Leader, according to a news release. Her responsibilities will include building the firm’s reach and client relationships in the California higher education sector, based out of San Diego.

  • Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

    Furnishing the Future: Adaptive Solutions for Modern Learning Spaces

    On this episode of Schools in Focus, we'll talk about the role that classroom furniture plays in creating adaptive, flexible learning spaces. Our guest is Wesley Edmonds, the Director of Workplace, Adaptive Solutions at OFS.

  • Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture Announces Merger with PBK

    Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture (CGD), based in South Carolina and Maryland, recently announced that it has merged with PBK, the largest K–12 architectural firm in the U.S., according to a news release. The firm will operate as Craig Gaulden Davis | PBK with 31 offices across the country.

  • Image courtesy of Armstrong International

    The Modern Hot Water System Approach to Keep Higher Education Buildings Safe and Operational

    Higher education campuses face unique structural and operational demands. With a range of old and new buildings, a variety of facility types, and ambitious sustainability goals, it's essential that no aspect of infrastructural performance is overlooked. Facility managers must be equipped to provide a safe, reliable and efficient space for students, faculty and guests.

Digital Edition