Welding and Metal Fabrication Training and Job Placement Program

Background

This program is designed to expand the number of unemployed or underemployed people trained in the welding and metal fabrication trades and placed in related family-supporting jobs. Like Esperanza's other training businesses, this program generates revenue for operational costs through manufacturing, repairing and recycling dumpsters, and other waste containers. Students train for 12 weeks (240 hours) Monday through Friday, 8am - 12pm.

Program Information
In the past, due to low demand, end-users have maintained their own manufacturing and repair operation. However, new local and national emphasis on recycling and waste control, along with the need for end-users to remain cost competitive, have created a new niche in the dumpster repair and manufacturing market. This new market niche is still too small for large fabricators and is cost prohibitive for small operations. This niche has created a stable opportunity for Esperanza Unida to operate its training business model: operating a business, while in the process, training students for valuable, life changing employment and generating revenue for overhead.

The market niche, coupled with the large market demand for persons with welding skills, has created a strong opportunity for this training business model to succeed. The welding and metal fabrication industries are growing rapidly, with many job opportunities for skilled welders in both small operations and large industries.

Although some companies provide on-the-job training, an increasing number of companies give priority to hiring people with experience and/or other formal training in welding. The trend is to require not only good welding techniques but also the ability to do well in math and blueprint reading tests. These are two trends for which our graduates are well prepared.

Course Description
Esperanza Unida offers an introductory course designed to prepare students to pass Welder Qualification Performance Tests for welding sheet steel and steel plates according to American Welding Society (A.W.S.) specifications.

The course offers instruction in welding theory, math, preliminary blueprint reading and welding shop practice for a total of 10 weeks. Included in the course is instruction in reading and communication, with special emphasis on the necessary communication skills to get and keep a job. Students spend 4 hours each day in the classroom and at practice welding stations, learning the specific skills required for the welding/metal fabrication trade. They progress through a series of welding tests, after which they are integrated into production - starting with dumpster repairs through new box production. The students work in a bilingual environment, meeting the needs for those whom English is a second language. Upon graduation, trainees are placed in jobs in welding and welding-related fields.

As with our other training and job placement businesses, students of this program have access to Esperanza Unida's student support services (the Learning Center, Driver's License Reinstatement Program, etc.) as needed. Graduates are always welcome to come back to Esperanza Unida for additional training, tutoring and support.

Course Topics

• Principles of Orthographic Projection
• Oxy-Acetylene Torch cutting
• Basic Blueprint Reading
• Use of Small Shear Machine
• Introduction to Plasma-Cutting
• Setup and Operation of MIG welder
• MIG Welding techniques, in Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead Positions
• Math Building Skills such as: Area, Volume and Mass of Objects, and Working with Steel Tapes, Angles and Rulers

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• High school diploma or desire to obtain G.E.D.
• Basic math skills
• Desire to learn welding and metal fabrication
• Dependability, good attendance
• Able to follow written and verbal instructions

Contact Information
If you are interested in enrolling in the Welding & Metal Fabrication Training and Job Placement Program or would like more information on the program, please contact our Student Coordinator (414) 671-0251.