Salisbury High announces metal fabrication lab open day

Published 12:00 on Thursday, September 19, 2024

: Mark Wells, a metals teacher at Salisbury High School, works with a student in the metalworking lab.

SALISBURY — Salisbury High School, home to the Rowan-Salisbury Career and Technical Education Advanced Manufacturing Academy, announced it will host an open house in October to showcase its recently expanded Metals Manufacturing Lab.

The public is invited to tour the facility from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1st in the Lash Building at Salisbury High, located at 500 Lincolnton Road. Free parking is available near the gym.

“The Open Day is a unique opportunity to see first-hand what we do in this growing program,” said Mark Wells, SHS Metals teacher. “Launched just a few years ago, our Metals Manufacturing Program has continued to grow, equipping students with valuable skills and industry experience. Our goal is to forge stronger links with our community and local industry.”

The metals program at Salisbury High is one of only 12 offered statewide by North Carolina public school CTE programs. Wells recently formed a unique partnership with Tim Isely, a faculty member at Rockingham Community College and director of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Workforce Development, which enabled the donation of more than $250,000 for equipment for the metals lab.

Wells and Isley met last year at a conference sponsored by Haas and Phillips Corp. When Wells learned that Rockingham Community College would soon be installing all new Haas equipment, he asked about the old equipment.

Isley answered the call. Through Isley’s advocacy and the help of Stacey White, executive director of Rowan-Salisbury Schools CTE, the equipment was purchased, transported and installed at Salisbury High this summer. In gratitude for his role, Isley will be the guest of honor at the open house on October 1.

“This generous donation will provide students with increased machine use, which will better prepare them for their careers,” said Wells, a journeyman tool and die maker who has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years.

According to the Rowan Economic Development Commission (EDC), manufacturing is one of the top five employers in Rowan County. The Rowan-Salisbury Schools CTE Department works closely with EDC to create CTE programs that meet the employment needs of Rowan County.

For more information, contact Anne Hoffman, CTE Career Development Coordinator at Salisbury High, at: [email protected].