News
MTC Opens Welding Technology Center
Sep 22, 2021
Midlands Technical College held a ribbon cutting and grand opening for the college’s new Welding Technology Center today. The education and training facility is located on Kentucky Avenue on the Airport Campus.
The new building represents a $4.5 million capital investment. With 64 welding bays in the new facility, the Airport Campus now has 19 more bays than before, plus multipurpose classrooms, a fabrication area, and exterior teaching stations that greatly increase training capacity through flexible workspace.
“Year after year, welding programs are among our most in-demand," said Dr. Ron Rhames, MTC's President. "In fact, job data shows that in an average month, employers face about 3-dozen welding vacancies in Fairfield, Lexington and Richland Counties."
“We had outgrown the old building in terms of size and capability,” said Ray Thomas, Dean of MTC’s School of Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades. “The new facility is equipped with the latest technology our students will use when they begin or expand their careers.”
"Statistics from the American Welding Society show that by 2025 our nation will face a shortage of more than 400,000 welding professionals who are needed to build everything from cars and planes to buildings and bridges," said Barrie Kirk, MTC's Provost. "With this new center at MTC, we will be able to help fill those openings in our area by training 150 welders each year."
The new Welding Technology Center is the result of renovation and expansion of the Industrial Building, which was originally built in 1967. Training programs were taught there until those programs moved to the new Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Crafts center in 2016. MTC also operates a welding center on its Fairfield Campus. It has 12 welding stations.
One of the 64 new welding bays on the MTC Airport Campus. |
A welding display welcomes students and visitors to the MTC Welding Technology Center. |
A mural and display welcomes students and visitors to the MTC Welding Technology Center. |
Welding Programs at MTC
MTC's welding programs are some of our most popular offerings as they lead to good-paying, in-demand jobs here in South Carolina.
Welding Fundamentals
This 3-semester Certificate provides students with the core skills necessary to become a professional welder. The techniques and competencies developed in this certificate are foundational in starting a welding career. This certificate awards college credit and can be stacked with the Welding Qualifications Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.
Welding Qualifications
This 3-semester certificate builds upon the skills developed in the Welding Fundamentals Certificate. It is designed to prepare students for a career as a professional welder. Students will learn advanced processes and techniques while honing their skills. This certificate awards college credit and can be stacked with the Welding Fundamentals Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.
Welding Technology
The first college degree in welding available in the state of South Carolina, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology is a 6-semester program that combines the Welding Fundamentals and Qualifications Certificates. This Academic Welding Degree Program is an in-depth training program delivered by a staff of professional welders and AWS Certified Welding Educators and Inspectors. Welders who also hold an Associate degree are more qualified to advance into higher roles within the industry.
Comprehensive Welder
The Comprehensive Welder Certificate is the culmination of the individual Stick, MIG/Flux Cored, and TIG Welding certificates and prepares the individual to work for a wide range of companies in the manufacturing and construction fields.
Advanced Welder
The Advanced Welder Program focuses on advanced welding positions and MIG transfer processes. The program is designed for a welding student finishing the Comprehensive Welder Certificate or a welder currently working in the industry and is seeking additional skills to advance their career.
MIG and Flux Cored Welder
The MIG and Flux Cored Welder Certificate focuses on the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes. In two, 8-week courses you will learn how to use both processes to weld in all positions.