WELDING CLASS.

A student at Wor-Wic Community College practices in a welding class. Currently a certificate program, welding will now also be offered as an associate degree at the college in the fall.

Welding is a field full of opportunities – vehicle repair, construction, pipe fitting and even the cruise ships and ferries of Chesapeake Shipbuilding require skilled welders. Wor-Wic Community College has offered a program in welding for years to serve the needs of the Lower Eastern Shore’s workforce. This fall, it will introduce an associate degree in welding for those who want to take their education a step further.

The new welding associate degree program prepares students for entry into a high-demand career in manufacturing, construction, energy production and many other industries. But it also lays the groundwork for potential work as a weld inspector, while also teaching business basics for those interested in becoming self-employed, as well as allowing them to become well-rounded candidates for the work environment. It prepares students for American Welding Society certification as they acquire skills in shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and oxyfuel cutting, with an emphasis on standard welding processes and industrial safety.

“We are excited to offer this new program, which will allow students to obtain a degree and gain a valuable career skill as well,” said Paul Silberquit, dean of occupational and emerging technologies. “We are especially looking forward to giving students the chance to learn in our new state-of-the-art welding labs when we open the Guerrieri Technology Center on April 20.”

Visit www.worwic.edu for more information or to register.