Paul D. Camp Community College’s Division of Workforce Development and its Fast Track Welding students will benefit from a $10,000 grant awarded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

“We are very fortunate that so many people support and believe in the Paul D. Camp Community College mission of providing ‘diverse learning opportunities that enhance the quality of life for students and the community,’” PDCCC President Paul Conco said.

“Programs like Fast Track Welding are regionally needed to prepare students for the workforce and to provide employers with trained candidates.”

The program is a non-credit, 120-hour program on the Franklin campus that provides hands-on training, job shadowing opportunities and job placement support.

The program is designed to provide fast-paced, focused training of welding essentials and is especially intended for individuals who are unemployed, particularly long-term.

“Fast Track Welding courses are designed to assure employers that candidates possess the skills and attitude of a successful marine welder,” said Larry Brunson, program manager and job placement coach with PDCCC’s Career Development Center. “The course provides great preparation for employment in this field.”

The 10 students of the first class successfully completed the program in 2013. A new session of the training program begins Monday and will continue until Aug. 1. For more information, contact the Workforce Development Office, 569-6050, or visit www.pdc.edu/workforce-development.