Five things to know about Stark State's Welding and Joining Center in Jackson Township
JACKSON TWP. – Stark State College welding students soon will have a lab of their own in Stark County.
After years of using high school welding facilities for student training, Stark State plans to open a Welding and Joining Center on its Jackson Township campus.
The center will allow Stark State to expand its welding program in Stark County, which now serves 20 students. College officials expect to serve between 50 and 100 students once the center opens.
The demand for welders continues to grow nationwide as older welders reach retirement age. According to the American Welding Society, more than 361,000 new welding professionals will be needed by 2027 to fill job openings.
OhioMeansJobs lists 2,887 open welding jobs in Ohio, with 394 of the jobs located within 30 miles of Canton.
Here’s what you need to know about Stark State's new center:
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1. Stark State isn’t constructing a new building.
College leaders plan to renovate 5,824 square feet of existing space at its Advanced Technology Center, which is the former LG Fuel Cell building. The new center will be equipped with 13 welding booths and two classrooms.
2. Construction will start in June.
The project is expected to be completed by July 2024, and classes are expected to begin the following month.
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3. Private donations and grants will pay for the nearly $3 million project.
The total cost of the project, including the facility renovation and equipment, is roughly $2.87 million. Local foundations, including the Paul and Carol David, Stark Community and Timken foundations; other private donors; grants and state funding will cover the cost of the project. A $93,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Workforce Based Training and Equipment program will be used to purchase the welding equipment.
4. Students will have access to the latest welding technology.
The facility will include Miller Dynasty welding units and a robotic welding cell, which automates the welding process within a confined production welding area and contains a robotic articulating arm, welder and accessories. Steve Tornero, department chair of industrial technologies at Stark State, said students will learn the skills used in advanced manufacturing, which will help them prepare to earn their American Welding Society certifications and will make them good job candidates in the construction, fabrication, repair, maintenance and manufacturing processes often found in Ohio’s advanced manufacturing facilities.
5. This will be Stark State’s second Welding and Joining Center.
Stark State relocated its former Barberton welding program to its Akron campus and opened a 17-booth Welding and Joining Center last fall. About 50 welding students are enrolled in Akron's welding program.
Reach education writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @kweirREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark State College plans Welding and Joining Center in Jackson
