Last week, six inmates from John C. Burke Correctional Center (JBCC) earned welding certificates from Moraine Park Technical College. They were celebrated in a completion ceremony on Thursday at Moraine Park’s Beaver Dam campus.

The six individuals completed Moraine Park’s 12-credit welding certificate program over a span of 12 weeks. They are now eligible for work release from JBCC and can begin working in the community immediately.

JoAnn Hall, Moraine Park’s dean of economic and workforce development, welcomed the graduates and families in attendance. Paul Jensen, a Moraine Park Economic Workforce Development welding instructor, handed out the certificates with Kevin Carr, Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary, and James Barrett, Moraine Park’s vice president of student services.

Moraine Park has partnered with the Department of Corrections for almost 50 years.