(North Canton, OH – March 15, 2023) – Stark State College is creating a Welding and Joining Center on its main campus in North Canton, boosted by a state grant of more than $93,000 for welding equipment.

Renovation of 5,824 square feet of existing space at the College’s Advanced Technology Center is scheduled to start in June, with an estimated completion date of July 2024 and classes expected to begin that August.

The new Welding and Joining Center will be equipped with 13 welding booths and two classrooms. A recently awarded Workforce Based Training and Equipment (WBTE) grant from The Ohio Department of Education will be used to purchase Miller Dynasty welding units. The WBTE program is aimed at improving Ohio’s workforce development capacity and strengthening business and industry.

With the latest multi-process welding equipment, students will learn a variety of welding techniques, including MIG, Stick, AC and DC TIG, pulsed TIG and air carbon arc gouging. They’ll also become skilled in digital programming and the use of wireless components commonly used in advanced manufacturing.

“These skills prepare our students for various American welding Society certifications and make them highly qualified job candidates in the construction, fabrication, repair, maintenance and manufacturing processes often found in advanced manufacturing facilities here in Ohio,” said Steve Tornero, SSC department chair of industrial technologies.

The College also opened a new 17-booth Welding and Joining Center at Stark State College Akron last fall.

For more information about Stark State’s welding programs: www.starkstate.edu/welding.