Nine Rock Island High School Welding students are getting a head start on finding a job after they graduate in June. 

 

The students received help from professionals on Monday, May 10. A couple of employees from the hiring Department at John Deere worked with the students to show them how to go through the applying process at John Deere. 

 

The John Deere employees were able to assist students with any questions they may have about the application and interview process. 

 

It's been a great year for the Rock Island High School Welding Program. This past year, the program has placed five juniors in the Welding Apprenticeship Program at John Deere. The goal of the program is for students to earn all of their welding competencies so that by the time they graduate from high school they will be able to be hired.

 

Five seniors received scholarships from John Deere to attend Black Hawk College. Upon successful completion of the program, they will be put into John Deere hiring pool and be eligible for employment with John Deere!

 

Four students that were in the apprenticeship last year will be hired by John Deere this summer when they turn 18 and the remaining nine students will hopefully get hired by John Deere when they graduate this summer. 

 

That's a potential for 22 students this year with John Deere careers in welding! Meanwhile, other students have been placed with other local companies with a career in trades.

 

"It's been a great year," said Welding Instructor Wade Webber. " I love to see these guys, who didn't want to go to college, get a chance at a great career right out of high school."

 

Mr. Webber hopes other high school students will see there are great opportunities for careers in the trades.