South Piedmont Community College’s Tyson Family Center for Technology welding lab is now an accredited American Welding Society testing facility. Only four other community colleges in North Carolina carry the AWS accreditation.
“This accreditation is a signal of quality for our welding students and to aspiring welders throughout our service area and beyond. We’ve done the work, we’ve met the American Welding Society’s rigorous standards, and now, not only are we delivering the very highest quality welding education, we’re also able to test welders from throughout our region. If you are interested in a welding career, your first stop should be South Piedmont Community College,” said Vice President of Business & Workforce Solutions Chris Rivera.
To earn the accreditation, South Piedmont had to meet specific requirements for personnel, equipment, and procedures. Having met those requirements, South Piedmont is now able to test and qualify welders for the American Welding Society’s Certified Welder certification.
“The Certified Welder certification opens up a lot of doors,” said Director of Applied Technical Programs Aaron Wulk, who oversaw South Piedmont’s accreditation effort.
“When you earn your CW, it validates that you are capable of meeting the standards of the welding profession, that you can make a good weld and meet code, that you have proof that you can do the job. When you earn your CW, you can be added to a national registry of certified welders; a very small percentage of welders are on the national registry. It means you’re one of the best.”
With South Piedmont being an accredited test site, not only can students be assured they are getting a high-quality welding education, but they can also complete their CW at their home program.
“It’s more convenient for students, and they’re going to be in a setting where they’re comfortable, using equipment they’re familiar with,” Wulk said.
“We’re preparing students to earn their CW from their very first day in the welding program.”
South Piedmont’s Tyson Family Center for Technology is located at 3509 Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe.
To learn more about South Piedmont’s welding program, visit https://spcc.edu/programs/welding-technology/.