Cleveland High School is proud to announce it has been awarded a $49,932.53 Welding Workforce Grant from the American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation. This significant grant will support the continued growth and success of the school’s Welding Technology program, which is led by instructor Michael Ritchie and prepares students for high-demand careers in skilled trades.
The funding will be used to enhance training equipment, expand certification opportunities, and improve student access to real-world welding experiences — all of which contribute to workforce readiness.
“We are so excited about the possibilities this grant affords our students,” said Randall Stephens, Career Technical Education Supervisor for Cleveland City Schools. “Mr. Ritchie has built a top-tier program, and this award supports our shared vision to prepare students for career success right here in our community.”
The AWS Foundation’s Welding Workforce Grant is designed to strengthen secondary and post-secondary welding education programs across the country to help close the growing skills gap in the trades.
For more information about the Cleveland High School Welding Program, please contact Michael Ritchie at mritchie@clevelandschools.org.