MASON CITY – In response to the high demand for production welders in the North Iowa area, North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is now offering a 40 – hour Production Welding course.
This new course will provide participants with the skills necessary for entry level manufacturing welding with the Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) process.
“This is another option for those interested in a career in welding to quickly get the skills they need to get a good job,” said Terry Schumaker, NIACC Dean of Continuing Education. “This is different than the welding program NIACC offers as a full year diploma program in that it has a very concentrated focus on the specific welding skills used in a manufacturing setting.”
Participants will gain an understanding of proper welding techniques and procedures for welding structural carbon steel with the Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) process. Skills will be developed in flat, horizontal and vertical position welding of fillet welds. Welder qualification testing is an available option, and will be attempted at the level where success can be attained. Personal protective equipment will be provided to students.
Full tuition assistance is available to students who qualify through the GAP Tuition Assistance Program. Additionally, the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission has secured grant funds through The Foundation for the Enhancement of Mitchell County. They will provide a $250 scholarship toward course tuition for any Mitchell County resident. Also, anyone taking the course who goes to work for a Mitchell County industry within 90 days of taking the course will be refunded $250 of the cost of the course.
NIACC has a great welding program that Josh Byrnes reinvigorated many years ago. New facility and new equipment. Numbers have been strong and they have a great instructor.
Sometimes NIACC gets confused and gets away from their original mission. they are not a prep school for Harvard.
At one time the had the start of a nice program for welding, programming and machining. I know because I was on the steering committee that helped set it up. I hope they have not destroyed the good work that was done back then as we really need a vo-tech school here.
They had a very good welding program years ago but screwed over the instructor – The instructor filed and won a hrc settlement – The Butt/boss abolished the welding program program because he did not want to fire the instructor and have another lawsuit.