North Central Michigan College offers new fast-track welding program

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·2 min read

PETOSKEY — North Central Michigan College added a new fast track program to their lineup, offering an opportunity at welding certifications.

The program will teach students the basics in welding and metal fabrication so they can receive certifications in gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding from the American Welding Society.

Along with the basics of welding, they’ll be learning how to safety adjust, light up and shut down an oxyacetylene torch, a high temperature torch containing gasses like oxygen and acetylene used by welders to melt metals. Students will also learn how to set up an oxyacetylene portable unit.

The program costs $1,850 and includes 60 hours of in-person training and all materials and supplies, though grants and scholarships are made available after registration. The program begins Oct. 18.

The course is being offered because of partnerships with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, who are providing welding kits to students, and Pellston Public Schools, who will be offering up the high school as a place for classes to meet.

The entrance to Pellston High School and Middle School is seen here.
The entrance to Pellston High School and Middle School is seen here.

More:NCMC launches 10 new career-based fast track programs

Welding students at Cheboygan Area High School already have the opportunity to earn college credits through a class taught by North Central Michigan College.
Welding students at Cheboygan Area High School already have the opportunity to earn college credits through a class taught by North Central Michigan College.

The training-based programs are open to students and non-students alike and end in certifications rather than degrees — though the school is setting up programs that will allow students to receive credits for similar courses with proof of certification.

In northwestern Michigan, welding is expected to be a high-demand and high-wage industry through 2028. According to a report from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and Bureau of Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, there’s expected to be 55 annual openings, with wages between $16-$22 an hour.

The upcoming welding program is completely booked with about a dozen students, but people interested can join a waitlist, and depending on interest another course may be offered.

This initiative is the 11th fast-track program offered by the college. The first round of fast-track courses began in May. The courses were initially offered to get more people into the workforce faster for high-in-demand jobs. The first few rounds of fast-track courses are kicking off, with nearly 40 people having completed or started their programs.

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North Central Michigan College’s new Fast Track career programs, including a three-week Phlebotomy Technician program, offer an expedited path to industry-recognized credentials.
North Central Michigan College’s new Fast Track career programs, including a three-week Phlebotomy Technician program, offer an expedited path to industry-recognized credentials.

Christy Lyons, NCMC’s director of corporate and community education, said these courses are helpful in getting people working in the community faster, saying the school has close relationships with local businesses in need of workers.

The courses often offer more accessibility because they aren’t as limited by region, though there are in-person aspects of the courses.

People interested in any of the fast-track programs can visit ncmich.edu for more information.

— Contact education reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com or on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: NCMC offers welding program to get you certified in just 9 weeks