Issued by Columbia Basin College
Pasco, Wash. — Bechtel National, Inc., which is designing and constructing the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant, also know as the Vit Plant, has donated $30,000 to the Columbia Basin College Welding department for the purchase of needed equipment. Bechtel National has been a major partner with CBC with over $500,000 in donations for equipment and scholarships over the years.
CBC Assistant Professor of Welding, Chris Mitchell, says the money was used to purchase four Victor track torches, a vertical belt sander, and five welders.
Welders are needed for construction of the waste vitrification plant at Hanford. CBC has a long history preparing welders for work at Hanford, dating back to the 1950s.
“Bechtel National Inc. recognizes the importance of growing the next generation of workers,” says Steve Overton, Vit Plant Construction Site manager. “The demand for skilled trades is on the rise, and it is becoming more difficult to fill our industry’s needs around the world. Therefore, the ability to attract, train and retain these workers is extremely important, and Bechtel is pleased to make this donation in support of that.”