Welding lab wows

SANDUSKY — Sandusky Schools' long-awaited welding lab is finally up and running. In 2023, Sandusky High School Programs for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. was announced as a recipient of more than $4.8 million, which was used to upgrade the district's now state-of-the-art welding lab. The grant covered 100% of the project. After years of construction and equipment improvements, the district hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the lab at the Sandusky High School Programs for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. fall advisory night. Among those in attendance: Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady and state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron. Brandy Bennett, the district's director of career technical education, said the lab had gone untouched for decades. Students were learning under conditions, such as with poor ventilation, dim lighting and antiquated equipment. Stephen Martin, welding instructor, faced roadblocks in his instruction, according to Bennett, due to an inability to maximize the space. Bennett said out of the 15 available welding units, only eight were fully functional. "To renovate the laboratory would require structural improvements that were not allowed with career technical education funds," Bennett said. Ohio Gov. Mike "DeWine's pledge of $200 million statewide for the career technical construction program was our beacon of hope to be able to provide a state-of-the-art welding lab to the students of Sandusky High School," Bennett said. "We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to graduating students with academic and technical skills." The manufacturing industry accounts for 24% of the county's workforce, according to data provided by Sandusky Schools, making Erie County a "hotspot" for welding and related fields. For an area the size of Erie County, there is a national average of 112 employees who have jobs related to welding, but Erie County is home to 184 employees, according to a district news release, putting Erie County is 164% above the national average. "There will be no shortage of these jobs in the future as the workforce is considered older than average with 25% of employees who are 55 years old or older and projected to grow 17.5% through 2026," the release states.