Jim’s Cover Pass: 15 keys to building a successful welding program

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Q: I noticed that you recently retired from your position as a welding instructor after several years. Please share your thoughts on what it takes to be a successful welding instructor.

A: During my 21 years as the lead welding instructor and department chair at a community college, I spent a lot of that time sharing best practices with our fellow instructors around the globe. I believe the following keys can help you build a strong, successful welding training program.

When interacting with students:

1. Know your students and call them by their first name. Engage every student, every class session.

2. Shake your student’s hand every day when they come to your class and let them know you are glad to see them. And again, as they leave, shake their hand and tell them you will see them at the next class.

3. Show students respect. Every person responds positively when they believe you respect their feelings, ideas, and time.

4. Have a personal conversation with each student for a few minutes at least once a week.

5. Instill the importance of soft skills into every class and lesson.

6. Give lessons about the realities of life. Even if all your students don’t end up as welders in the industry, hopefully they will end up as informed, productive members of the greater society. We are in the business of changing lives and building careers. For myself, it is not just a job, it is a career and a calling. Keep training the next generation of welders!

When implementing curriculum:

7. Understand that you can’t teach welding (manufacturing, industrial tech, etc.) today the same way you were taught. It’s your duty to prepare students for their next 10 years, not your last 20.

8. Embrace and use equipment and technology that is up-to-date. Realize that the industry is constantly changing, and technology is a huge reason for that.

9. Instill the ideas of Industry 4.0. Understand that the industry, the equipment, the student, and instructional formats are all connected via the internet.

10. Use the power of social media to connect with potential, current, and past students. Use private pages to stay connected without outside influences.

11. Use textbooks and online resources as reinforcements to the syllabus, not as the sole source of your lessons and curriculum.

On developing partnerships with local industry:

12. Partner with local industry to create a strong and supportive advisory board. Invite members of your local Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development Council to all advisory meetings.

13. Develop internship partnerships with local industry to give your students real-world work experience.

14. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with equipment, supplies, or grant applications. The industry will benefit from professional students who can use the latest equipment.

15. The potential employers of your students are your local industries, which makes them your customers. Providing a student who is well-trained is the best thing you can provide to your customers.