Bechtel chips in $30,000 for CBC welding program

The welding program at Columbia Basin College received a sizable donation from Bechtel National.

Bechtel, which is building the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant -- or vitrification plant -- donated $30,000 to the program, the college announced Thursday.

The money was used to buy four track torches, a vertical belt sander and five welders, Chris Mitchell, a CBC welding instructor, said in a written statement.

Welders are needed for construction of the vit plant. CBC has a long history training welders for Hanford, dating back to the '50s.

"The demand for skilled trades is on the rise, and it is becoming more difficult to fill our industry's needs around the world," said Steve Overton, vit plant construction site manager. "The ability to attract, train and retain these workers is extremely important."

This donation brings the total amount Bechtel has given to CBC over the years to $500,000, said CBC spokesman Frank Murray.

This story was originally published May 27, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bechtel chips in $30,000 for CBC welding program ."