Side Menu Ends, main content for this page begins
Back to Side Menu (includes search)

Welding Students Learn About Apprenticeship Opportunities at Pioneer Pipe

Posted on: March 13, 2020
Tags: Swiss hills career center, Career development

Swiss Hills welding students toured Pioneer Pipe on February 26 and got an up-close look at opportunities to further their career after graduation. The tour was led by Switzerland of Ohio Local Schools Director of Business Operations Linda O’Connor. Pioneer Pipe COO Matt Hilverding also joined the tour to add insight about Pioneer as a company and the welding profession.

Pioneer has been a valuable partner for Swiss Hills and the Switzerland of Ohio School District. Graduates of Swiss Hills have completed the Pioneer Pipe apprenticeship through the Marietta Plumbers and Pipefitters (Local 168) and the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). In fact, a 2019 graduate, Kylie Cross graduated through the apprenticeship program and is now employed at Pioneer Pipe.

The Pioneer apprenticeship program is operated in cooperation with several area schools, including Swiss Hills Career Center. Dave Archer, the Board Chairman of Pioneer Pipe, said the program has been a success because of the support from the schools, great instructors, and involved parents. Select seniors receive apprentice welding training, which can lead to an apprenticeship and future employment.

For more than 38 years, Pioneer has been one of the largest full-service construction, maintenance, and fabrication companies in the Midwest, specializing in general, structural, mechanical, and electrical construction, pipe fabrication and installation, steel fabrication and erection, modular fabrication and assembly, and plant maintenance.

Pioneer has annual revenues in excess of $100,000,000 and employs more than 500 people across the region. They operate four shops in the Marietta area with more than 250,000 square feet of fabrication space.

Our welding students loved the tour and the ability to learn about this exciting apprenticeship opportunity. We appreciate Pioneer’s investment in our students’ futures.