JENNINGS — Sowela Technical Community College and Leevac Shipyards are joining forces to offer a new, non-credit compressed welding training program at the Morgan Smith campus.

The program consists of 405 hours that will prepare people to work as welders for the shipyards.

Graduates will be guaranteed an interview, with the successful candidates being offered the opportunity to fill the 100-plus job openings available at the shipyards.

The welding program will be offered 5-9 p.m. weekdays beginning Dec. 16. The cost is $2,988. To help offset tuition, Sowela is partnering with Capital One Bank and the Calcasieu Business & Career Solutions Center to provide up to $2,000 to eligible participants. Eligibility is based on low- to moderate-income rates established by the state.

Capital One Bank through Sowela will also provide scholarships for up to one-third of the cost, or $900, for students completing a job readiness course. Tuition for a participant of both aid initiatives would be $65.

Students interested in receiving the career center’s financial support must attend an orientation meeting at the Morgan Smith site in Jennings. Those taking advantage of the Capital One Bank scholarship must pay $65 and complete the bank’s job readiness course, held at the Morgan Smith site.

For more information, call 421-6964 or email rosemary.august@sowela.edu.

Space is available is limited to 17 students.

(MGNonline)

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Brad Puckett