Page 22 - Fall 2014 World of Welding

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HOBART INSTITUTE OPENS NEW TRAINING AREA

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, Ohio, recently an additional second shift was accomplished. The Hobart
opened their newest addition and it was the focal point of an Institute is currently operating at full capacity. This new
Open House on May 15, 2014. Opening ceremonies began at construction enables the Institute to accommodate up to an
10:00 a.m. Visitors were welcomed by Chairman of the Board additional 52 students on each shift. With a goal to maintain
and President André Odermatt. The program featured the architectural and aesthetic integrity of the original design,
construction began a year ago -- in May 2013 -- by
Ferguson Construction Company, Sidney, Ohio.

The Institute employs 40 people in instructional,
administrative, and office support areas. It is estimated
that the economic impact of having the Hobart Institute
in Troy amounts to between $6 million and $7 million
annually as the students spend money for housing, meals,
gasoline, recreation, and other basic supplies while
attending classes for up to nine months. It is often said
that the true effect is two to three times that much, as the
students’ expenditures pay someone else’s payroll and this
then continues on indefinitely before the monies funnel out
of the community.

André Odermatt (forefront) provides tour comments for William H.
Hobart, Jr. (center) and others.
Water flowed
comments from State Senator Bill Beagle, State Representative into the Hobart
Richard Adams, Miami County Commissioner John O’Brien, I n st i t u t e
and Troy Mayor Michael Beamish. A proclamation from during flash
the Governor’s Office was read. Representatives from the flooding in
American Welding Society were also present. Tours for the May 2014.
public were held throughout the day.

The new 6360-square-foot structure contains 52 new arc
welding booths, universally equipped for all processes for
high-scheduling flexibility and a state-of-the-art fume exhaust
system. The new welding booths, which were initially put
into use by a group from the military and a few employees of
Exxon Mobil who were taking part in two specialized training FLASH FLOODS CAUSE DAMAGE TO
sessions, are now in full operation. HOBART INSTITUTE

According to André Odermatt, then President of Hobart Just a week after the Open House at Hobart Institute, flash
Institute, “Most people who graduate from Hobart Institute floods that hit the Troy area affected the Hobart Institute.
find a job. We currently have over 1000 open welder positions Four feet of water flowed into the lower level classrooms
on our job bank. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported and labs while a few inches of water flooded the main floor.
4.2 million job openings in February this year; 300,000 in The weather event occurred during early evening hours while
manufacturing. Thousands of manufacturing jobs rely on second shift classes were in session. Quick response from the
welding processes.” staff and students allowed classes to continue the next day.
Some temporary relocation of classes from the lower level
The Hobart Institute that was established in 1930 has was necessary during clean-up. Staff and clean-up crews
undergone several expansions throughout the years with a continued to work throughout the Memorial Day week-end.
major renovation in 2005. Enrollment from skill training has Repairs to floors and floor coverings, plumbing repairs, etc.
more than doubled in the past eight years. To accommodate were expedited by contractors to minimize the effect for the
that capacity, more efficient use of existing space and students.

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