Using grant money, Barton Community College will purchase a truck from Marmie Motors and create a mobile welding rig for use by students in the welding classes.
Mary Foley, executive director of agriculture and industry education at BCC, and welding instructor Jake Streit presented the proposal to the Board of Trustees, who approved it on Tuesday.
A federal Perkins Reserve Grant for $111,000 will cover the expenses, Foley said.
“The mobile welding rig will increase student learning by providing opportunities to practice welding outside of the shop setting,” she stated in her report. “The hands-on experience allows students to apply their skills in real-world scenarios, giving them the experience of working on job sites instead of in a shop setting. Access to the welding rig would allow students to travel to various locations in the community, expanding their knowledge and helping to build industry partnerships.”
Detailed specifications and requirements for the truck were sent to Ehler Chevrolet in Hoisington, Morris Smith Ford in Larned, Flint Hills in Manhattan, Lewis Automotive Group in Dodge City, and Marmie Chevrolet, Marmie Ford, and Marmie Motors, all in Great Bend.
The bid was awarded to Marmie Motors for a Ram 3500 C&C costing $66,834.
“It is not the least expensive truck,” Foley said. Morris Smith Ford did not submit a bid and the other bids were all lower. Ehler Chevrolet’s bid was the lowest, offering a Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew for $57,324.
“Ehler would have to order it and have it shipped,” Foley said, noting timing was an issue. Under the conditions of the grant, the college has to spend the money by May. The Dodge Ram is on the lot now; it also comes with running boards, which would have to be added to other vehicles, she said.
The cost of the Ram is “about $2,700 over what we budgeted,” Foley said. However, she believes they can save money on other items budgeted to go on the truck. The purchase of the welding truck, truck bed and equipment will all be made with Perkins Reserve Grant Funds.
As a bonus learning experience, welding class students will help assemble the mobile unit.
Foley noted that the mobile welding rig will also serve as a recruitment tool for Barton’s welding program. It could be taken to career fairs, parades, and other community events, as well as high schools, to attract prospective students and generate interest in the program.
Other benefits
The presentation to the BCC Board of Trustees also listed these benefits:
The mobile welding rig will be used to take the students to on- and off-campus projects, giving them valuable experience before entering the workforce. Additionally, we would be able to support campus facilities by completing welding repairs on site, instead of facility personnel bringing projects to the welding shop. By having the welding students complete college projects, it would help the college save money by reducing the use of outside repair services. It would also give students priceless work experience.
