Perkins Earns Welding Inspector Honor

Bobby Perkins, the director of Trades Training for Workforce Development at Thomas Nelson, is well-regarded in the College community. His reach now is expanding.

He recently earned regional recognition when the American Welding Society's Tidewater section honored him with the Dalton E. Hamilton Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) of the year award.

"The award recognizes Mr. Perkins' time commitment and excellent service to the American Welding Society and its mission of promoting the advancement of welding, along with his outstanding practice of welding inspections," said Franz Albertini, the College's interim dean of Workforce Development.

In his current role, Perkins helps prepare Peninsula residents for welding jobs. He is a former welder and instructor.

"We are fortunate to have Mr. Perkins on our team," said Thomas Nelson President Towuanna Porter Brannon. "He is a motivational educator, accomplished tradesman, and is passionate about the role occupational and skilled trades training plays in changing students' lives and transforming our communities."

Perkins, who joined the College in June 2013, said having an instructor with the CWI credential has proved important to Thomas Nelson. In 2014, it was the first community college in the state to have an AWS testing facility. And welding is one of the largest credentialled courses in Thomas Nelson's FastForward program.

"We had to have a way to certify our students," Perkins said. "The best way to do that was to go through the AWS."

Albertini said Perkins is always thinking about his students.

"Mr. Perkins has a passion for teaching, expertise in his field, and most importantly, a love for his students, making him a worthy winner of this coveted accolade," Albertini said, adding he's proud of Perkins' accomplishments and those of the welding program. "His outstanding work has expanded the program's resources and the recruitment of students toward rewarding welding careers."

The American Welding Society consists of instructors, engineers, and suppliers.

"It means a lot because my colleagues nominated me," Perkins said.

The Tidewater section of the AWS is part of District IV, and it covers North Carolina and Virginia.