Central Gulf Industrial Alliance endorses NWF State College welding program

The welding program at Northwest Florida State College has been recognized for excellence in training by the Central Gulf Industrial Alliance, a consortium of industrial businesses and contractors spanning the Gulf Coast counties of Mississippi, Alabama and Northwest Florida. Through its program review and endorsement process, CGIA identifies and promotes industrial construction workforce development programs in the Central Gulf region that are training to industry standards.

CGIA’s process for training programs to become CGIA-endorsed programs consists of two parts – an on-site review conducted by CGIA staff and member company representatives, and an employer survey measuring industry confidence in a training provider’s ability to meet workforce needs – which produces an overall score leading to a possible endorsement level of gold, silver or bronze. Last October, CGIA completed the program review for the welding program at NWF State College and awarded it a bronze-level endorsement. Endorsed programs receive recognition among CGIA employer members as quality programs for hiring qualified candidates.

“We are excited to get this endorsement from CGIA, which is proof that the welding program at Northwest Florida State College is doing it right and following industry standards,” said Scottie Smith, lead welding instructor at the college. “Our involvement with CGIA will help make more companies aware of our welding program and college and help increase the employment opportunities for the graduates of our welding program.”

PHOTO (top): L-R: CGIA Executive Assistant Evan Davis, CGIA Executive Director Frank Jeleric, NWF welding instructor Scottie Smith, CGIA Chairman Joe Robison, and CGIA Vice Chairman Edward Clayton.