College of DuPage Offers New American Welding Society Certificate

College of DuPage is offering a new American Welding Society Certificate that will provide students with the required skills to earn AWS credentials.

Recently approved by the Illinois Community College Board, the 17 credit-hour certificate prepares students for entry-level positions as welders and fabricators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6 percent increase in overall metalworking positions during the next 10 years.

"This new certificate program is another example of College of DuPage's dedication to providing students with solid program options," said COD Board of Trustees Chairman Erin Birt. "Over the last five years, COD has implemented nearly 70 new ICCB-approved certificates and degrees. The American Welding Society certificate provides students with industry recognized credentials that will jumpstart their careers."

John Kronenburger, Associate Dean of Technology, said the certificate stemmed from an Illinois Network for Advanced Manufacturing grant, which was established to help provide highly skilled workers for industry, both in-state and nationally. Participating schools are asked to select and develop a specialty program.

"We felt one area we could leverage was welding," he said. "College of DuPage already offers a Welding certificate, so we created a second certificate with industry-known credentials associated with it. To help us develop the curriculum, we brought in an AWS-certified instructor as a consultant."

The American Welding Society Certificate includes five new courses designed to provide AWS Level 1 training. Upon completing the certificate, students can take the required test - offered at COD - to become AWS Sense 1-certified.

Kronenburger said creating the AWS certificate is part of a larger effort to expand the College's Welding program that in the future will include an associate's degree. Students then can earn stackable credentials by starting with the AWS certificate, continue with the Welding certificate and then completing the degree.

"There is a clear need for credentialed welders and fabricators in fields that range from aerospace to renewable energy to infrastructure, and we want to offer the training that will help students either begin or further their careers in a growing market."

For more information, call (630) 942-8419, email mcfarl@cod.edu or visit www.cod.edu/programs/welding.