Manhattan Area Technical College (MATC), in cooperation with Caterpillar Work Tools in Wamego, is launching a new short-term program to train welders. Workforce AID (Aligned with Industry Demand), a project through the Kansas Department of Commerce, connects economic and workforce development with education and training to provide the skilled talent Kansas companies need to remain competitive.

Beginning in July, MATC will deliver eight weeks of training that includes hands-on experience in welding. With Caterpillar’s leadership, MATC and Caterpillar have developed curriculum that prepares participants with the skills necessary to begin working at the company immediately following successful completion of the training. Participants have the opportunity to earn an American Welding Society credential, OSHA-10 certification and 11 college credits.

“Workforce AID projects help participants build successful and rewarding careers, while also supporting employers by training Kansas workers with the skills required by industry,” Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave said. “We are excited to partner again with Caterpillar Work Tools through this innovative program.”

Caterpillar Work Tools has supported the Workforce AID initiative since its inception. This is MATC’s second time partnering with Caterpillar and the Department of Commerce on a Workforce AID training project.

“We are pleased to be able to continue to develop our relationship with Caterpillar and excited about the new opportunities this training will bring to both the students and the company,” said MATC President Jim Genandt.

Training begins on July 11 at MATC in Manhattan and is supported by a public-private partnership between Caterpillar and the Department of Commerce.