WALNUT — To ensure new employees are properly trained and have the necessary skills to do their job, a Walnut company recently held its first Learning Center.

Mike Maynard, president of TCI Manufacturing and Equipment Sales in Walnut, wanted to meet a need for the expanding company to have trained employees in the areas of steel fabrication and welding.

Four potential employees were able to attend a free, eight-week course during the evening to teach them MIG welding, Flux Core welding, basic blueprint reading and basic hand tools used in the industry.