Josh Baird is a great example of a person with a good work ethic, said officials at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). He graduated from Brunswick High School on a Saturday and began working as a contractor at the Dominion Power Plant on the following Monday.

Thanks to training Baird received in high school through Dual Enrollment classes at SVCC, he was able to obtain this great job at the new facility located in Brunswick County.

“I received certificates in Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and High Performance Technology (HPT) from SVCC (while still in high school),” Baird said. “This is the reason I was able to secure such a great job, he added.

One of his instructors in the program, Vincent Brown, a SVCC assistant professor of technology, said, “Josh was a great student. He was eager to learn and excelled in both the HPT and AMT programs. When Dominion Power was looking for an intern, I thought of Josh first. Since Josh has been at Dominion Power, he has excelled there and continued to be successful. I’m excited that this innovative SVCC program prepared him for a good job and a career.”

After finishing the certificate programs, Baird continued to study at SVCC while working and received an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technician in May 2015.

Currently a vibration technician, Baird works for TEC Industrial headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., but his work location is at the local power station of Dominion. In his job, he collects vibration data on rotating equipment and performs basic vibration analysis to assist with determination of problems and potential repair plans. His career goal is to become a maintenance operator at the Brunswick plant.

“I would like to share with potential students that they should consider going in the HPT Program during high school. It is truly a great learning experience,” said Baird.

Baird is from White Plains. 

SVCC’s HPT and AMT programs are offered through Dual Enrollment at several high schools in the college’s service region. The programs are also available as a Career Studies Certificate programs to the general public.

The HPT consists of 19 credit hours and the AMT is completed in 24 credit hours. For more information, contact Dr. Chad Patton at (434) 949-1038 or email chad.patton@southside.edu.