SEACBEC receives CNC Plasma Cutter and Welding Machines

Southeast Arkansas Community Based Education Center (SEACBEC) in Warren, AR. recently received a Trooper 4x4 CNC Plasma Cutter Table from Lone Star Solutions and 5 ESAB Rebel welding machines from Welsco through the Workforce Alliance for Southeast Arkansas which is funded by an Arkansas Department Higher Education Regional Workforce Implementation Grant awarded to the University of Arkansas at Monticello.  Part of the grant’s purpose is to provide opportunities in Southeast Arkansas to prepare individuals for a career in the advanced manufacturing industry.  Regional manufacturing industry leaders are developing a unified alliance patterned after a Toyota-developed program entitled Kentucky Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME).  Several states now support FAME programs which are an apprenticeship-type work-and-learn experience that can lead to an associate degree in applied manufacturing technology.  The new plasma cutter will provide students at SEACBEC the opportunity to program, fabricate, and manufacture different designs through a computer controlled cutter.  The 5 new welding machines are some of the most innovative welding technology available and what many of the technical colleges use for training.  They have the combination of a MIG/TIG/Stick package capable to weld anything.


The Welding Program went through a small renovation over the summer to get ready for this equipment.  A complete ventilation system was installed to increase the quality of air for students.  With that, 6 booths were added to match the 8 existing ones.  The shop and classroom were painted, and lockers were added for convenience and safety of student belongings giving it a new, fresh workforce environment. 


Mr. Jamie Vail, SEACBEC Welding Instructor, is in his second year of teaching at SEACBEC.  He comes with 30 years experience.  His program is partnered with UAM McGehee Technical College where high school students have the option of taking their high school welding class as concurrent (college) credit simultaneously.  Students can become completers of a high school program but also receive 11 hours or more of college credit earning a Certificate of Proficiency.  Students also have the opportunity to become OSHA 10 and NCCER certified. SEACBEC serve students from Hermitage, Hampton, Rison, Warren, and Woodlawn.  The Director of SEACBEC, Devin McDiarmid, expresses great appreciation for the partnerships with UAM College of Technology-Crossett and McGehee for including SEACBEC to enhance workforce training opportunities in southeast Arkansas through the Workforce Alliance. SEACBEC has produced many successful welders from its program over the years.