DAYTON, Ohio — There’s a bright light shining at Sinclair Community College. And it’s coming from the return of the welding program.
It’s been 20 years since Sinclair has offered the program.
- The new lab is located on Eaker Street in Dayton
- It has 12 state-of-the-art booths where students learn the basics of welding
- Students learn tungsten arc welding and oxy-fuel welding in the course
Dr. Tony Ponder said the college brought welding back because there was an urgent need for technicians, not just in the Dayton region, but all across Ohio.
“Whether you’re an automotive technician or aviation maintenance technician or various other manufacturing areas, such as machining, welding is a critical skill for today’s modern technician that works in manufacturing,” Ponder said.
Students like Alex Pew, who’s studying automotive technology, are excited to add a new skill. Pew said he enjoys the class because of the way it’s structured.
“Eight weeks at a time I’m at work, I’m at the dealership working on cars,” Pew said. “I like that. Then I get to come here learn new stuff and then apply it.”
Sinclair rolled out the program in January at the start of the spring semester. Its new lab, located on Eaker Street in Dayton, has 12 state-of-the-art booths where students learn the basics of welding.
Chair of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Technology at Sinclair Ronald Ulrich said the program is off to a great start and it’s already generating a lot of interest.
“We’re already planning on a second course this fall, a basic certificate program, then a full certificate and a degree program in the next year and a half,” Ulrich said.
Ponder said the course is a great opportunity for students to market themselves to employers for potential career opportunities.
“It’s a wonderful addition to the division’s compliment of programs and course that ultimately prepares students to get a great job right here in Dayton, Ohio.”