This content was published: March 15, 2010. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Welding programs works to retrofit Newberg High labs
Photos and story by Kate Chester
A helping hand from Portland Community College has led to major mechanical and electrical upgrades at Newberg High School’s welding lab. When more than 300 students signed up this year to take welding classes at Newberg High School – an interest matched by local manufacturers’ need for trained welders – the high school and PCC forged a partnership to meet the demand.
Rob Leavitt (left) and Charlie Osmon, PCC welding students from the Rock Creek Campus, help install pre-fabricated walls for 20 new welding stations at Newberg High School.
Scott Judy, welding department chair at the PCC, recruited the help of three students to travel to Newberg and install pre-fabricated walls for 20 new welding stations at Newberg High School’s welding lab. This work followed new ventilation hoods built at the Rock Creek Campus, that were recently installed at the high school; the hoods help to alleviate exhaust fumes in the lab.
“This has been a fun project,” said Judy. “If we can help to train more future welders, then it’s a win-win – both for educators, like Newberg High School and PCC, and local manufacturers.”
Welding is a skill used by many trades including sheet metal workers, ironworkers, diesel mechanics, boilermakers, carpenters and steamfitters. PCC and Newberg High School have created a new program focused on putting students on the path for a career in welding. To kick it off, nearly 30 students will enroll in NHS’ three-semester program and earn dual credit from the high school and PCC. Students will learn about oxy-acetylene welding – a process that uses fuel gases and oxygen to weld metals – and shielded metal arc welding, one of the world’s most popular welding processes and used extensively in the construction of steel structures and in industrial fabrication. Additionally, the high school will continue to offer its general welding classes.
For more information, visit the PCC Welding Web Page.
The college soon will have a permanent presence in Newberg. Beginning in fall 2010, PCC will offer both credit and non-credit courses at the Chehalem Cultural Center, an interim site while the college’s permanent educational facility is built. The permanent center is slated to open in fall 2011.