Delaware County Community College (DCCC) will train up to 40 students to become entry-level welders at no cost through the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, which has been awarded $296,987 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce in support of the Philadelphia Works’ Good Jobs Challenge in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Employment opportunities for qualified welders are significant, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Welders are especially in demand in Southeastern Pa., with the region’s economic reliance on shipping and shipbuilding, the aircraft industry, manufacturing, and more.

A partnership of the regional community colleges and Drexel University, the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development provides high-quality training and education to businesses and industries in Greater Philadelphia. Together with six counties in Southeastern Pa., Philadelphia Works, the workforce development board of Philadelphia, launches training programs to build regional workforce skills within targeted growth industries, which include welding.

No college degree or previous training is required to participate in Philadelphia Works’ Good Jobs Challenge opportunities, which are designed to help drive economic growth and disrupt chronic multigenerational poverty across the region. The free, no-cost training will take place at Delaware County Community College’s Marple Campus and will begin in January 2025.

“The county workforce development boards and the employers in our region have the confidence in us to train a skilled welding workforce fully aligned to regional industry needs,” said DCCC Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development Karen Kozachyn.

DCCC’s Welding Certificate Program is a 225-hour hands-on training program that delivers an introduction to welding and training in oxyfuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, blueprint reading, and basic fabrication. These skills are in high demand and will prepare students for entry-level welding positions.

DCCC is a regional leader in the development and delivery of courses leading to professional certifications, certificates of competency and proficiency, and Associate in Applied Science degrees. To learn more or enroll for the grant-funded, tuition-free Welding Certificate Program, visit collegiateconsortium.org, call 215-218-3886, or email info@collegiateconsortium.org.

This training for up to 40 entry-level welders was prepared by Delaware County Community College using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070127 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Learn more at DCCC.