HireSmart Cares Grant Equips Madison County Welding Program with Industry-Standard Equipment 

Madison County high school welding students are experiencing a significant improvement in their learning environment this year, thanks to a HireSmart Cares grant that brought professional-grade equipment into the classroom.  

The nonprofit awarded funds to purchase 36 Lincoln Electric Viking 1740 auto-darkening welding helmets for the metal fabrication program at the Broad River College and Career Academy in Danielsville, replacing the fixed-shade helmets students previously relied on. 

Ag mechanics instructor Josh Daniel said the difference between fixed-shade and auto-darkening helmets is more significant than many might realize. With traditional fixed-shade lenses, students must hold the helmet up until they position their hands and the welding gun correctly, then flip the helmet down to begin striking the arc — often striking blind. This creates unnecessary frustration and delays student learning. 

“With these auto-darkening helmets, what it does is it shortens that learning curve exponentially by allowing students to actually see where the electrode is, to see the arc striking process,” said Daniel. “And by seeing more they can visualize it more quickly, pick it up more quickly.”  

The Lincoln Viking 1740 helmets feature advanced 4C lens technology with variable shade settings from 6 to 13, providing clear visibility until the ultraviolet light from the welding process triggers automatic darkening. This seemingly small technological advantage translates into measurable improvements in student performance and confidence. 

Daniel said students have been excited about the upgrade, adding that he heard from last year’s metal fabrication students who regretted missing out on the upgraded equipment. 

“I have students who took metal fab last year that are upset with me because they didn’t get to use them,” he said with a chuckle. “They said, ‘As soon as I don’t have metal fab, you go get nice helmets.'” 

The 36 helmets are distributed across the 12 welding booths in the program, with three helmets per booth mounted on peg racks for easy access and storage. This setup ensures that every student in the metal fabrication classes has immediate access to quality equipment while teaching responsibility through organized storage systems. 

The investment addresses a practical concern beyond just student comfort. The welding industry predominantly uses auto-darkening helmets in professional settings, particularly in factory work, production facilities, and small local shops. By equipping students with industry-standard equipment, the program bridges the gap between classroom learning and workplace expectations. 

“The majority of welders, if you look at the factory side — whether it’s Caterpillar, Kubota, or more in production or in a smaller local shop — they’re going to use what’s called an auto-darkening helmet,” said Daniel. “Our students will be more prepared for entering the workforce from the metal fabrication pathway.” 

This preparation matters significantly. The program projects 4,400 welding hours across 40 students over 110 school days, representing substantial skill development. For many students, the metal fabrication pathway leads directly to dual enrollment opportunities at Athens Tech. 

“Athens Tech gives them a list of about $800 worth of equipment they need that they have to purchase to go through that welding program,” said Daniel. “If they take dual enrollment here at the high school, [we] provide it for them. And it helps set up students for success if they want to go into the welding industry.” 

Daniel points to Carter Highfield as an example of a student who completed the dual enrollment welding program, continued at Athens Tech to finish his diploma, became a lab technician helping teach classes, and now works throughout the southeast performing pipeline welding. 

“That’s a kid whose life trajectory has completely changed based on access to these skills,” Daniel reflected. “These are the stories that matter.” 

The grant reflects HireSmart Cares’ broader mission of supporting workforce development in Madison County. The nonprofit recognizes that equipping students with proper tools and skills creates pathways to meaningful careers without requiring substantial college debt. By investing in auto-darkening helmets, workbenches, grant programs, and other initiatives, HireSmart addresses immediate educational needs while building long-term economic opportunity. 

“They (HireSmart) are just willing to pour into the community, into these students, because they know the difference that little bit of an edge can make,” said Daniel.  

Students interested in the metal fabrication pathway at the Broad River College and Career Academy can contact Josh Daniel at jdaniel@madison.k12.ga.us.  

 To learn more about HireSmart Cares, visit hiresmartcares.org. Educators with innovative approaches to preparing students for industry-relevant skills can apply for a HireSmart Cares grant at hiresmartcares.org/ideas-application.