Millard Area Technology Center

***** Welding Students Experience Real-World Fabrication at Appalachian Tank *****

The Welding Program at Millard Area Technology Center, led by instructor Dart Phillips, recently took students on an educational tour of Appalachian Tank in Pikeville—giving them a firsthand look at welding in a real industrial setting.

Located in the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park, Appalachian Tank is a large-scale manufacturing facility specializing in the construction of aluminum tanks used to transport materials such as fuel, oil, and other liquids across the country.

During the visit, students were able to observe the full fabrication process—from raw material preparation and precision cutting to fitting, welding, and final assembly. Inside the facility, they saw skilled welders working on massive curved tank sections, using advanced techniques to ensure strength, safety, and durability in every weld.

The tour also highlighted the importance of safety standards, quality control, and teamwork in a fast-paced industrial environment.

🗣️ Student Reflections

***** Keaton Branham, Welding Student *****

“The tour benefited me. I liked how everything was laid out—they welded in one area and fabricated in another, and it was all really organized. It seemed like a better environment compared to working out in the field where you might be on the ground or dealing with the weather. In the shop, everything felt safer and more controlled.

My favorite part was watching how they built the tanks. I expected it to just be putting aluminum together and welding it, but there was so much more involved. Everything had its place, and it was all very organized.”

***** Wesley Jones, Welding Student *****

“I was surprised by how clean and organized everything was. The building was well ventilated—sometimes in welding shops you can’t see because of the smoke, but there it was clear and easy to breathe. That really made me feel better about choosing this as a career path.

My favorite part was watching how they built the tanks—using large equipment to lift and move everything and how they followed very specific safety procedures. It was inspiring, especially as a first-year student. A lot of what they do there, like MIG and TIG welding we’re already learning in class, including positions like 3G and 4G so it was really cool to see it being used in a real-world setting.”

Experiences like this go beyond the classroom by helping students connect their skills to real-world applications. Seeing industrial-scale welding firsthand prepares them for future careers by introducing them to industry expectations, reinforcing the importance of safety, and showing how precision and teamwork come together in a professional setting.

Having the opportunity to see a current co-op student like Hunter Johnson working in the field also gives students a relatable example of what their own path can look like after completing the program.

We appreciate Appalachian Tank for opening their doors and providing such a valuable hands-on learning opportunity for our students!

Crafting Skills + Heart = One Incredible Project

Student Spotlight: Cameron Keene

Millard Area Technology Center is proud to recognize Cameron Keene, a senior who has successfully completed both the Electrical and Building & Apartment Maintenance career pathways during his time with us.

Under the guidance of instructors Mike Sykes (Electrical) and Kevin Anderson (Building & Apartment Maintenance), Cameron has developed a strong foundation of technical skills that will serve him well in his future career.

For his latest project, Cameron designed and built a custom wooden planter as a Mother’s Day gift for his mom. This piece showcases not only his construction skills, but also his ability to incorporate advanced technology into his work.

Cameron utilized our Glowforge laser cutter to design and create the decorative metal hanging sign—demonstrating his ability to take a project from concept to completion using both hands-on craftsmanship and digital design tools.

Cameron is a dedicated and hardworking student who shows initiative, creativity, and a strong work ethic.

Great job, Cameron—we’re proud of you!

🔧 Exploring Opportunities Beyond Graduation 🔧

Yesterday, we were excited to welcome representatives from Lincoln Tech to Millard Area Technology Center to speak with our students about the next steps after graduation.

They shared valuable information about continuing education in skilled trades—from automotive and electrical to welding and other high-demand career paths. It was a great opportunity for our students to ask questions, explore options, and begin thinking about what their future could look like.

At Millard, we believe there’s not just one path to success. College, technical training, apprenticeships, and direct-to-workforce opportunities all hold incredible value. Skilled trades are in high demand, offering strong career potential, job stability, and the chance to build something meaningful with your own hands.

We’re proud to help connect our students with opportunities like these and to support them as they discover the path that’s right for them.

🏆 National Competition Spotlight 🏆

Millard Area Technology Center is proud to recognize another outstanding accomplishment from our welding program!

Brenton Wright earned an impressive 5th Place finish at the 2026 KWI National Senior Welding Competition, held April 11, 2026.

Competing against 250 students from 23 states, Brenton stood out on a national stage and was the highest placing competitor from Kentucky—an incredible achievement!

This success highlights Brenton’s dedication, skill, and hard work, along with the strength of our welding program under the leadership of instructor Dart Phillips.

We are incredibly proud of Brenton for representing our school and our state at such a high level. Please join us in congratulating him on this outstanding accomplishment!

State Champion Spotlight

Millard Area Technology Center is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement by one of our own!

Tanner Maynard earned 1st Place in Welding I at the SkillsUSA State Competition, showcasing exceptional skill, precision, and dedication to his craft.

As a result of his hard work and talent, Tanner was awarded two scholarships totaling $9,000 — including a $1,500 award and a $7,500 1st Place Scholarship.

This accomplishment reflects not only Tanner’s commitment, but also the strength of our welding program under the leadership of instructor Dart Phillips, and the opportunities Career & Technical Education provides for student success.

Please join us in congratulating Tanner on this incredible achievement—we are so proud of you and excited to see what your future holds!

Millard Area Technology Center Students Excel at Regional SkillsUSA Competition!

Students from Millard Area Technology Center proudly represented our school at the Regional SkillsUSA Competition held in Paintsville on Friday, February 2, 2026.

Our students showcased outstanding technical ability, professionalism, and dedication across multiple divisions. We are proud to share the following results:

Automotive 1 (Maintenance & Light Repair) Division
🥇 Brylan Hill – 1st Place
🥈 Hunter Spangler – 2nd Place
🥉 Zachary Allen – 3rd Place

Automotive 2 (Service Technology) Division
🥇 Kenneth Roberts – 1st Place
🥈 Davion Rose – 2nd Place

Electrical Construction Wiring Division
🥇 Jeffery Adkins Justice – 1st Place

HVAC Division
🥈 Ian Justice – 2nd Place

Welding 1 Division
🥈 Tanner Maynard – 2nd Place

Welding Division
🥇 Brenton Wright – 1st Place
🥉 William Ratliff – 3rd Place

We are incredibly proud of all students who competed and represented Millard Area Technology Center with excellence.

A special thank you to instructors Dart Phillips and Kevin Anderson for accompanying these students to competition. Their leadership and dedication make a lasting impact on student success.

Qualifying winners will advance to compete at the upcoming state SkillsUSA competition. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students and wishing them the very best as they continue representing MATC!

A HUGE shout out to Colton Stevens and Korbyn Tucker, in Mr. Rodney Smallwood's Automotive Class, for being chosen for the Boyd Cat ThinkBIG Program that was featured in the December 2025 issue of Kentucky CTE EMPOWERED newsletter! Congratulations!

Here at the Millard Area Technology Center, our students are gaining real-world, career-ready skills every single day — and we want to share that journey with you!
From wiring and troubleshooting systems in Electrical Technology, hands-on repair and equipment servicing in Automotive, striking arcs and learning fabrication skills in Welding/ Industrial Maintenance, to real-world projects in Building and Apartment Maintenance/HVAC, our classrooms are always filled with problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.
Check out the photos below to see our students in action as they learn, create, and build their futures. We’re proud of the work they’re doing — and excited to show you what’s happening inside MATC!