June 19, 2019 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College is launching a new Welding Skills Certificate program designed to help students get needed skills quickly so they can enter the workforce.
GRCC’s Welding Technology Certificate program teaches the fundamentals over two semesters. The new Welding Skills Certificate program is designed to teach the basics of these skills in a semester, although part-time students might need two, so they can enter jobs in the manufacturing, petroleum, aerospace, automation and medical fields.
Associate professor John Doneth said GRCC crafted the new program with student feedback.
“Typically, our students are working and going to school,” he said. “Because most of our students are not full time, everything takes longer. This new certificate was created because our students come to GRCC to quickly get some skills and go to work.”
The new Welding Skills Certificate will prepare students for entry-level welding positions, but the credits will also count toward GRCC’s one-year Welding Technology Certificate and the two-year Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences in Welding Technology.
Doneth said welders are in demand in West Michigan, and the new program is designed to meet that need.
“Over the next decade, 20% of workers in metal fabrication are expected to retire,” he said. “The new program will prepare students for good, entry-level positions and ‘stack’ well with our one- and two-year welding programs if those students decide to add to their training.”
Those who are interested in the Welding Skills Certificate program, which is scheduled to start with the fall semester, may manufacturing@grcc.edu.
Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.