Welding and Joining student Skylar Huggett has been selected as the 2017 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner for Savannah Technical College.
 
Huggett is a top-performing student in her program. “Skylar works above and beyond to complete required course assignments, while working a full-time job as a server most nights and weekends,” said STC Welding and Joining Department Head William Burns. “Skylar shows an aptitude for mastering welding techniques on the first try. She works well with others and demonstrates excellent communication skills to accomplish group projects and achieve goals in a timely manner. She has demonstrated professionalism, accepted constructive criticism, and exhibited excellent work ethics.”
 
GOAL honors outstanding students at each of the Technical College System of Georgia institutions. She will represent Savannah Tech at the statewide competition in April in Atlanta, where the statewide GOAL winner will be selected. The highly competitive process involves academic success, community engagement and public speaking. Winners are nominated by their instructors and selected after interviews with a panel of business and community leaders.
 
Huggett has an associate of science degree from Georgia Highlands College. She has been on the dean’s list with a 4.0 since she started at Savannah Technical College in 2015. She is the president of STC’s student chapter of the American Welding Society and has been selected to represent STC at the Skills USA Welding Sculpture competition.
 
A career with unlimited potential, Welding and Joining is the backbone of manufacturing and leads the way during economic recovery. The Georgia Department of Labor notes welding and joining careers will increase by 15% or more over the next decade. The need for new welders hasn’t gone unnoticed by local employers. With proactive industry partners like JCB and Mitsubishi, STC has developed multiple internship tracks for new and current students. Advisory Board Members for the Welding and Joining department such as Pipe Fitters Union (Local 188), Iron Workers Union (Local 709), CST Coverings (formally Temcor), Savannah Tank, LMI Aerospace, and CSX – also work closely with instructors for new and updated course offerings, shaping the program to fit the needs and expectations of local businesses.