Twelve students participating in Bryan Independent School District's Optional Flexible School Day program graduated Monday evening from a welding course offered in partnership with Blinn College. The graduation marks the completion of the first workforce education courses available through the cooperative effort.

The introductory welding class provides students with a hands-on approach to the fundamentals of welding.

Blinn College Workforce Education offers welding and other skills training throughout the college's 13-county service area to provide an educated workforce to the applied technology sector of business and industry.

BISD's Flex Program is an alternative high school experience to provide academic and career success through flexible scheduling for 9th-12th grade students who are unable to participate in the traditional classroom setting because of life circumstances, challenging situations, or discipline programs.