Don Cheak and his wife, Shannon, from Carter County, are training to become pipefitters. Both have backgrounds in the construction industry. They operated their own siding and window business for 12 years "until the market fell out and we started looking for something new," said Don.
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| L–R, Donald Cheak, Donnie Hall, instructor, and Shannon Cheak |
Fluor and Eastman were instrumental in developing the Pipefitting Training Program that began at TTC–Elizabethton in January 2009 to meet the need for pipefitters in the region. Recently, Fluor at Eastman in Kingsport presented a $20,000 check and AMECO, its affiliate, provided tools and equipment for use in the Pipefitting Training Program at TTC–Elizabethton.
The Cheaks are the only husband–wife team currently enrolled in the Pipefitting Training Program. Classes meet from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday–Thursday. They expect to graduate in December.
Prior to enrolling at TTC–Elizabethton, Shannon completed 18 months of study at Northeast State Community College, majoring in legal office. Why did the couple decide on pipefitting training? "We knew the program was backed by two good companies, Fluor and Eastman. It was a win–win situation for us," said Shannon.
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| L–R, Ron Johnson, AMECO site manager; Freddy Kaywood, Fluor project manager; Sis Dickenson, Fluor human resources manager; Jerry Patton, director of TTC–Elizabethton; and Donnie Hall, Fluor safety trainer and recruiter |
Although the Cheaks have a family background in construction, welding, architecture and pipefitting, the couple said the most difficult part of the Pipefitting Course, thus far, has been precision measurements.
Now that the couple's children are grown, Shannon said she and her husband plan to continue their education at TTC–Elizabethton. "We would like to eventually work in the industrial maintenance field someday," Shannon said.
A high school diploma or GED is required for admission to the Pipefitting Training Program. Financial assistance, including the Federal Pell Grant and the Tennessee Lottery Scholarship, is available to qualifying students.
Pipefitting teaches various pipe and welding fabrication techniques; interpreting blueprints and specifications; making detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation; cutting pipe using various hand or power tools; measuring, cutting with blades and torches; threading, grooving, bending, soldering, brazing, welding, assembling, joining; and installing pipes, values and fittings.
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| Pipefitting Class at TTC–Elizabethton––From left, front row, Kenneth Grindstaff, Alton Metcalf, Jeff Bowman, Rickey Osborne; second row, Mitch Willocks, Eric Barnard, Josh Wright, Jamie Blevins, Russell Vines, Brandon Waddle; third row, David Smith, Shannon Cheak, Don Cheak, Norman Cheak; and Donnie Hall, instructor, standing. Not pictured, Matt Mitchell. |
The average time to complete the 20–hour per week training program is 12 months. Actual time is dependent upon the time it takes each student to achieve each competency, according to Hall. The program prepares students for an entry–level position as a pipefitter. A Certificate as a Pipefitter's Helper will be awarded upon completion of 58 hours of training. A Diploma as a Pipefitter will be awarded upon completion of 864 hours of instruction.
Donnie Hall, pipefitting instructor, is a graduate of the welding training program at TTC–Elizabethton with 19 years experience in construction welding/fitting. Hall is a certified pipe welder–pipe fitter and NCCER instructor–pipe/welder.