West Georgia Technical College will hold an open house to showcase the welding program at the Franklin instructional site on June 23 and 25.

The open house will serve to showcase the state-of-the-art welding lab, said WGTC officials, as well as publicize the welding program offered at the Franklin site and to welcome potential students. Prospective students will be able to take the entrance exam on site and the first seven people to apply each day of the open house will have their application fee waived. Workforce Investment Act representatives will be on hand to assist those who may qualify for additional financial aid.

“I want Franklin/Heard County residents to see the opportunity in attending classes in their community,” said Linda Sullivan, dean of the School of Trade and Technology. “The job market for welding is wide open. The pay is great.”

Current and prospective students who receive the HOPE Grant may also be eligible for additional financial assistance from Georgia’s Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant Award. To qualify for the SIWDG award, a student must be fully admitted to West Georgia Technical College, enrolled in commercial truck driving, early childhood care and education, practical nursing or welding, receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term.

“It’s important that we are able to show the community all of the opportunities that we have to offer,” said West Georgia Technical College President Steve G. Daniel. “We are proud to be the premier higher education partner in Heard County.”

The open houses will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 23 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 25. For more information about the open houses or programs offered, contact the Franklin site at 706-948-0250 or Linda Sullivan at linda.sullivan@westgatech.edu.