River Parishes Community College (RPCC) recently wrapped up its Weld the Wild summer camp, a hands-on technical experience designed to introduce high school students to the world of welding. Held at RPCC’s Westbank Workforce Training Center, the camp welcomed nine students from Donaldsonville High School, many of whom had no previous welding experience.
Throughout the week, students participated in engaging, skill-based activities including demonstrations in grounding, oxyfuel cutting, and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). These foundational skills serve as a launching pad for students to pursue career and technical education programs that lead to high-wage, high-demand careers in the area.
RPCC is proud to partner with Turner Industries, who provided meals, resources, and industry expertise throughout the camp. Turner’s support was instrumental in giving students not just tools, but also insight into real-world job expectations and the career paths available in the industrial sector.
“Weld the Wild is more than just a camp—it’s a career exploration experience,” said B.J. Bertucci, Dean of Career and Technical Education at RPCC. “We’re thrilled to see students walk away with new skills, new confidence, and a clear vision of what’s possible in the welding industry. Thanks to our growing partnership with Turner Industries, we’re excited to expand this opportunity next year.”
That expansion is already in motion. Starting this fall, RPCC will have a full-time welding instructor on-site at Donaldsonville High School to support the school’s dual enrollment welding program. The program is expected to double in size, giving even more students the chance to earn college credit and industry-recognized credentials before graduating high school.
This program expansion comes at a pivotal moment for the region. As major industrial growth continues in Donaldsonville and surrounding areas, RPCC is preparing to meet workforce demand head-on. The college will soon break ground on a new large-scale workforce training center in Donaldsonville, designed to serve local students and employers with advanced training opportunities in welding, instrumentation, and other high-skill fields.
RPCC remains committed to building pipelines between education and employment across the River Parishes region—and programs like Weld the Wild are key to that mission.