In partnership with Great Falls College Montana State University, residents at CoreCivic's Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby, Montana, are learning the skills to become certified welders. Welding is a lucrative career with the average hourly wage at nearly $27 per hour. According to the American Welding Society, more than 320,000 new welding professionals will be needed by the year 2029.

The welding program at Crossroads incorporates textbook work, virtual reality training and safety assessments before participants begin hands-on learning. Participants earn industry-recognized certificates upon successful completion of the course.

Watch below to learn more.