Caption One: From left, Waverly High School Assistant Principal, Brack Montgomery; USW Grant Administrator Bethany Weeks, Waverly High School Principal, Sara Ramsey; Waverly City Schools Superintendent, Bill Hoover; USW President, Herman Potter, and Waverly COPE Director, Terri Keiser.Waverly and Local USW Team Up for Career Training
Waverly and Local USW Team Up for Career Training
Piketon, OH- A new partnership between the United Steel Workers Local 689 (USW) and Waverly High School is revolutionizing career readiness for students who want to join the workforce after graduation.
Starting in 2025, Waverly students 17 and older can take part in the Manufacturing Skills Standard Certification (MSSC) training program. The training, which is offered for free through a Department of Energy grant from the Appalachia Clean Energy program, will provide students the training and qualifications needed for many entry level jobs in the community.
Companies like Fluor-BWXT, Centrus, and Mid-America Conversion Services have all submitted letters of support for the program.
“This program will help us merge the gap with students who aren’t sure what they want to do after graduation and help them find a path towards career success,” said Waverly High School Principal, Sara Ramsey. “We are seeing a new appreciation for skilled workers and trades, and by refocusing training we can give these students an opportunity to get the qualifications they need to start their careers.”
Another program, the Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification program, was developed for students with no prior, or only limited knowledge of manufacturing. Students will meet with trainers twice a week after school for 12 weeks and study safety, quality, and manufacturing processes and production.
While the program does not come with a job guarantee, it does equip students with the qualifications to apply to many jobs in the region.
“As one of the largest employers in the region, it is great to see a program that focuses on a young population in the workforce,” said Fluor-BWXT President and CEO, Greg Wilkett. “Training them early and focusing on safety will help prepare them to start their careers. “
In addition to existing industry, the program has also received letters of support from companies who are considering future development at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site.
“As job growth comes to our region, one of the greatest needs will be a skilled work force,” said USW 689 President, Herman Potter. “Programs like this will help fill that need and strengthen our local economy.”
“This group of students are an untapped resource for economic growth,” Ramsey added.
The program can accommodate around 25 students, and there are still spots available. Both the USW and Waverly City Schools are excited about what this could mean for students.
“Our students can find success in a variety of ways,” said Waverly Superintendent, Bill Hoover. “One of the greatest things we can give our kids is hope, and programs like this help instill hope for all of our students to believe there is opportunity for them. We are grateful for this partnership with the USW Local 689 and the potential it provides for our students.”
We will be having an informational meeting at Waverly High School on January 21, 2025 starting at 5:30p.m.
Parents who may be interested in this program for their child can call Waverly High School at (740) 947-7701 for more information.
About Fluor-BWXT
Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth, LLC., is the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) contractor for the decontamination and decommissioning of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio. Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) (NYSE: BWXT), two world-class companies with significant Ohio experience, formed Fluor-BWXT to address the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) needs at DOE’s Portsmouth Site. Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth employs 1,900 workers who bring unparalleled experience, insights, and lessons learned from across the DOE complex. Safety is our number one priority to ensure successful project completion while focusing on the economic future of the community.