Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to Celebrate Expansion of Workforce Training Opportunities with Welding Lab Ribbon CuttingBlue Ridge CTC and St. Joseph School Sign Dual Enrollment AgreementBlue Ridge CTC Board of Governors Meeting June 3, 2026Blue Ridge CTC Celebrates HVAC Class of 2025-2026 GraduatesNursing Program Celebrates 2026 Graduating Class in Pinning CeremonyBlue Ridge CTC Hosts First Ever Veteran Graduate Cord CeremonyEnvironmental Tech Program Gets 3rd Place Award in Operation GreenlidBlue Ridge CTC Honors Students in Spring 2026 Student Awards CeremonyJumpStart Welding Team Qualifies for State in MIC Build Out ChallengeNew BRCTC Podcast EpisodesManufacturing Collaboration with Berkeley County SchoolsBlue Ridge CTC Board of Governors Meeting April 1, 2026Mykayla Spielman’s Success at ROCKWOOL
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at its Pines Opportunity Center in Berkeley Springs. This event is to celebrate the opening of a new state-of-the-art welding laboratory designed to expand workforce training opportunities for residents of Morgan County and the surrounding region.
The new welding lab features six individual welding booths, each equipped with an ESAB REBEL EMP285ic welder. The equipment provides students with hands-on training in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/Stick), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG). These welding processes are widely used in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, maintenance, and repair of steel, aluminum, and other metals.
“The addition of this welding lab represents another important step in providing accessible, career-focused training opportunities for our communities,” said Dr. Peter G. Checkovich, Founding President of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. “Skilled welders remain in high demand across numerous industries, and this new lab will help prepare Morgan County students for rewarding careers.”
The Pines Opportunity Center, known locally as “the Old Hospital,” has served Morgan County residents since 2011, providing access to educational opportunities closer to home. Today, the center hosts a wide variety of Blue Ridge CTC programs and services, including Cybersecurity, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Vet Tech, Morgan Scholars, JumpStart, and numerous other academic and workforce training programs.
The welding program will be led by instructor Eric Stahle, who will work with students to develop the technical skills and industry knowledge necessary for success in the welding profession.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests will have the opportunity to tour the new welding facility, learn about available training programs, and explore the many educational offerings available at the Pines Opportunity Center. Blue Ridge CTC’s Culinary Food truck will be available during the open house celebration.
Community members, local employers, elected officials, and prospective students are invited to attend.
Event Details
Ribbon Cutting and Open House
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
11:00 a.m.
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Pines Opportunity Center
109 War Memorial Drive
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
