Moraine Valley Community College is helping students turn hands-on interests into career opportunities through a range of workforce-focused programs. One such program is Welding, which prepares students for entry-level opportunities in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, infrastructure and other industries.
The college offers certificates in Advanced Welding and Welding Combination as well as specialized/short certificates including Multi-Process, Pipe Welding, Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Individualized Welding – all of which can be completed in as little as two to three semesters.
“We try to cover all aspects to make sure our students have the best possible instructors so when they walk out of our program, they are set for real-life scenarios with the skill set to be a prevalent welder in the industry,” said Dave Viar, department chair of Mechanical Technologies and Welding instructor. To ensure students achieve success, Viar said the faculty works with local companies and unions to serve as a feeder system for skilled roles.
The program also is approved for dual enrollment, which allows high school students to begin taking welding classes before they graduate high school. “We run dual enrollment and dual credit, and work with other high schools to have their students come here to train,” Viar said. He noted that welding enrolls approximately 160 students per semester, which is up from 120 students prior to 2020.
Victoria Nebus, who is nearing completion of the Welding Program, is one of the students who began welding classes while in high school.
“I was drawn to welding at Moraine Valley because of the Dual Enrollment Program,” she said. “I knew I wanted to go into the trades, but I just didn’t know exactly what, so I started trying a little bit of everything. It wasn’t until I started the Welding Program at Moraine that I was like ‘Yes, this is what I want to do.’ I think it has been the community that kept me there because I’ve never felt so supported, and I know these instructors have had my back.”
Nebus is elated with the hands-on experience she is gaining, which she knows is crucial to obtaining employment. “We get to do just about everything, from learning how to cut metal with an oxy torch and fit pieces of pipe to actual hands-on welding. I learned how to make a perfect joint weld. From the moment I stepped foot in that lab to going into the lab now, I’m still learning a lot, and I’m excited to know there’s still so much ahead of me,” she said.
Students who receive certification at Moraine Valley can look forward to a rewarding career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 45,000 openings for welders over the next decade to replace those who have transferred to different occupations or retired, and the aging infrastructure will require the expertise of welders to help rebuild bridges, highways and other buildings.
To learn more about Welding or other programs offered at Moraine Valley, visit morainevalley.edu/programs.
For news media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, Moraine Valley assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.
