Editor
- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Wisconsin technical college debuts NBT welding summer camp
- By Rafael Guerrero
- September 30, 2022
- Article
- Arc Welding
Almost 200 people graduated from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Marinette, Wis., campus in December and May, earning an associate degree or technical diploma on their way to kickstart their professional careers.
Among the campus’ offerings is its one-year welding program, which culminates with a technical diploma. Some of the courses listed in the welding program include material cutting applications, blueprint reading, the four arc welding processes, metal fabrication, vocational math, and metallurgy.
Perhaps in a few years, the 12- to 15-year-olds who participated in the school’s week-long welding summer camp will be enrolled in these welding classes. Last July, though, the preteens and teens at this camp learned a little bit more about jobs and skills highly coveted by local employers.
“If I’m not going to be doing anything this summer except for playing video games and stuff, I might as well do something good with it,” said 13-year-old Jackson Hill.
Learning the Basics
For one week, this small group of students representing communities in and around Marinette, Wis., near the Michigan border, learned how to weld, cut, heat, bend, grind, saw, polish, and clean their welds. The kids ultimately used what they learned to fabricate garden flag poles made from carbon steel rods that they took home at the end of the week.
“They treat us like adults. They give you some freedom [to work],” said Jayden Gordon, 14.
The camp was funded through a grant from the Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Foundation (NBT), the official foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association. Local sponsors that included area employers and school systems also contributed in one form or another.
“One sponsor said, ‘That’s not enough money, we’ll give you more money,’” said Jennifer Flatt, vice president of student services at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and former dean of the Marinette campus.
The NBT grant and outside funding meant none of the camp attendees had to pay the $99 fee.
It was the first year the Marinette school held an NBT welding camp. In 2021, the technical college introduced two NBT camps, one in CNC/machining and another in electromechanical and automation. All three camps ran in 2022 and will continue in summer 2023.
Local industry provided 400 to 500 steel plates for the students to work with during the camp. Campus welding instructor and camp leader Tom Topper brainstormed and assigned the camp attendees the garden pole project and gave them the time and resources to practice their welds and work on different side projects at the college’s 16-booth welding lab. On the final day of the camp, for instance, one student welded himself a tower using small I-beams.
Topper said the kids learned the four arc welding processes. By the end of the week, he could tell they liked some types of welding more than others.
“They didn’t like TIG. Gas metal arc welding, I think, is their thing,” he said. “You can see it a lot better. With flux- core [arc welding], your weld is covered with slag. The gas metal arc was a big hit—plus it’s cleaner.”
Topper also coordinated visits to Samuel Pressure Vessel Group in Marinette and Advanced Blending Solutions in Wallace, Mich.
The two businesses were willing to show the students around, Topper said. Samuel Pressure Vessel Group is a pressure vessel manufacturer/distributor while Advanced Blending Solutions builds and designs blenders for the plastics industry.
“They build the mixers that mix these different types of plastics together,” Topper said of Advanced Blending Solutions. “A lot of TIG welding; a lot of fine welding. The kids got to see that.”
Welding and Marinette
The hope is that some of the camp attendees will consider welding as a possible career path as they progress through high school and ponder their futures. Topper said skilled welders are of particular interest in the Marinette area, which is known for its shipbuilding and pressure vessel industries.
“We get lots of calls for welders—lots. Everybody is looking for welders . . . baby boomers are going out and no one is replacing them,” he said.
“Industry around here is great to me,” he added. “Any tours I want, they will give to me. They're also looking toward their futures.”
Furthermore, “If we can get them interested now, it can prepare them for grants and scholarships for the future,” Topper added.
Will these welding camp students be the area’s future welders? It’s possible. Some of the attendees were considering it.
Hill said he could see himself become a welder or electrician and felt Topper taught him well. Topper and the camp instilled confidence in Hill on his welding skills and that one day he could weld professionally.
“He taught us very thoroughly. We're out here doing it. It's only our fifth day and we’re out here welding. I’m not as scared anymore,” Hill said. “I can put my stuff on, go in a booth, and just do it. I don’t feel like I need anyone watching me.”
About the Author
Rafael Guerrero
2135 Point Blvd.
Elgin, IL 60123
(815)-227-8242
Rafael Guerrero. was named editor of The Welder in April 2022. He spent nine years as a journalist in newspapers in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, covering topics and communities in central Illinois, Washington, and the Chicago area.
About the Publication
subscribe now
The Welder, formerly known as Practical Welding Today, is a showcase of the real people who make the products we use and work with every day. This magazine has served the welding community in North America well for more than 20 years.
start your free subscription- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/16/2024
- Running Time:
- 63:29
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s...
- Trending Articles
Sheffield Forgemasters makes global leap in welding technology
ESAB unveils Texas facility renovation
Engine-driven welding machines include integrated air compressors
The impact of sine and square waves in aluminum AC welding, Part I
How welders can stay safe during grinding
- Industry Events
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY
Advanced Laser Application Workshop
- June 25 - 27, 2024
- Novi, MI