Date of Event: 11/25/2025
Location: Cooledge, Arizona
Number of Attendees: 45
Event Summary: SRP Showcases Skilled Trades at Central Arizona College with Pipe Welding Demo Day
Hands-on training, scholarships, and a new mobile welding lab highlight SRP’s commitment to workforce development in Pinal County
Coolidge, AZ — 11/25/2025 — A team of SRP journeymen, metal fabricators, inspectors, supervisors, managers, and apprentices recently visited Central Arizona College (CAC) in Coolidge, Arizona, to conduct a pipe welding demonstration and hands-on training session for more than 30 students enrolled in both introductory and advanced welding classes.
The event highlighted SRP’s commitment to workforce development and education, providing students with practical experience and exposure to industry standards. SRP Senior Director Brian Heath attended the session and met with CAC instructors Ken Smith and Jordan Porterfield, reinforcing SRP’s strong partnership with local educational institutions.
Just weeks earlier, Coolidge Generating Station donated $5,000 to CAC to help establish a mobile welding laboratory. This innovative resource will travel throughout Pinal County and surrounding areas, offering training opportunities and supporting workforce development initiatives.
This collaboration is a great example of how SRP departments work together to invest in our youth and build a strong talent pipeline for the future. By partnering with schools like CAC, we’re helping students gain the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers and building a bridge to future employment to SRP.
The idea for the event was initiated by Justin Borchard (CAC Alumni), an MCM apprentice and Reilly McFarland PTS NDE/QC Associate (CAC Alumni). After months of planning, the event featured hands-on instruction in GTAW/SMAW combination pipe welding. To maximize learning, students were divided into small groups for personalized guidance from experienced fabricators. Several students showed noticeable improvement during the session.
The day concluded with a highlight: Nicholas Martinez awarded three $1,000 scholarships, donated by the American Welding Society, to the top-performing students.
We owe special thanks to Justin Pine for coordinating all the journeyman efforts and encouraging collaboration between MCM and GEMS departments. This event not only strengthened SRP’s community ties but also supported workforce development by sharing expertise and resources—reaffirming SRP’s commitment to education, the community, and skilled trades.
SRP Attendees:
Brian Heath – Senior Director
| Matthew Murtha – WF PGMS
| Justin Borchard – MCM apprentice
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Justin Pine – Section Supervisor MCM
| Garrison Haskie – Journeyman MCM
| Joseph Fudge – MCM apprentice
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Alejandro Marquez – Section Supervisor PGMS
| Karletts Begay – Journeyman MCM
| Hunter Spangler – MCM apprentice
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Nicholas Martinez – Senior Manager
| Daron Yellowman – Journeyman WF, MCM
| Jacob Spangler – MCM apprentice
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| Reilly McFarland – Plant Technical Support
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