Welcome to the Metal Fabrication & Welding program at the WMCTC:

Students in the Metal Fabrication and Welding program learn various methods of fabricating metal, such as sawing, shearing, bending and rolling. Various welding methods are taught including Oxy-acetylene cutting and welding, Shielded metal arc welding (stick), Gas metal arc welding / Metal inert gas welding (MIG), Gas tungsten arc welding (tig), and plasma arc cutting. Students learn to read blueprints, mathematics applied for welders, basic science coursework involving metallurgy and gas elements, employability skills, as well as operate computers that are used in the welding field.

Program Success Indicators:

Students who practice good attendance, a healthy work ethic, teamwork and collaboration skills and an openness to problem solving will be best suited for success at the WMISD CTC.  The CTC strongly recommends that incoming juniors have a minimum of 8 earned credits from their local school. 

Successful Metal Fabrication students should:

• Be able to learn and follow safety instructions 

• Be project and task completion focused

• Have critical thinking and problem solving skills

• Be self-motivated to work independently and in groups

• Have an interest in the manufacturing or metal fabrication field

• Be willing to work in a loud environment and get their hands dirty

• Possess basic math skills and a willingness to learn industry standard measurement and computation skills

The Metal Fabrication & Welding Field:

Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to join beams when constructing buildings, bridges, and other structures, and to join pipes in pipelines, power plants, and refineries. Job prospects should be excellent as employers report difficulty finding enough qualified people. In addition, many openings are expected to arise as a large number of workers retire over the next decade.

Student Organizations/Community Enrichment:

Students participate in, and compete, against other welders from programs throughout Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Early College Opportunity:

This program offers your student the opportunity to enroll in the Wexford-Missaukee Early College (WMEC).  The WMEC is a public, tuition-free, 3-year program serving students who attend public school districts within the Wexford-Missaukee ISD or partner high schools.  Students participate in an integrated sequence of high school and college courses during grades 11-13 while attending the Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center.  There is no out of pocket cost to students and their families for tuition, books, and fees during the 3-year program.  Students can earn up to an Associate’s Degree or Certificate in the outline pathways.  Please see the Early College website for more information.