The Butte College Welding Technology Department serves our community by providing diverse experiential learning opportunities in a progressive curriculum, using advanced technology, industry cooperation, and alumni support to prepare students for productive futures in the Welding Industry.
This program has seven full-time and three part time instructors. The Welding Technology program operates daily classes from 7:30 A.M. - 5 P.M. and currently Saturday classes from 7am - 2:00pm. The Welding Technology Department has made scheduling changes to increase student success. Certificated prerequisite courses are currently offered four nights per week (Monday�Thursday) from 5 - 10pm and two days per week (Tuesday/Thursday) from 12 - 5pm during the Fall and Spring semesters. The summer session offers two of these courses on a shortened schedule. These summer session courses allow for recent high school graduates to complete prerequisite courses allowing them to begin the full time program in the fall semester after graduation. The full time program is impacted, with 60 on a list for Fall 2020. Only 46 will be accepted leaving students on a waitlist. This list will continue to grow and change over the spring 2020 semester. For the first time ever the program will be able to begin a new cohort class in the spring of 2020. This will allow more points of entry into the program, and two different graduation times. This will help students more easily find work after the program, and provide industry with qualified candidates year round. An eight week certificated capstone program is offered after completion of the Welding Technology program. This Petro-chemical and natural gas pipeline welding capstone program is offered during the summer session. Students who have completed the full time program will have the opportunity to obtain a high paying career with PG&E, subcontractors of PG&E, and other large petro-chemical companies. This program operates daily Monday through Friday from 7am � 5pm. All full-time instructors and part-time instructors are active in the Sacramento Valley Section of the American Welding Society. The program works continually with local and state industry partners to maintain currency in equipment, market trends, required job skills, and workforce requirements. In the fall of 2019 the program moved into a new state of the art welding and manufacturing facility. This new facility has the capacity to increase the number of full time welding students from 60 to 92. In addition to the increased number of full time program students there will be the capacity to double the number of prerequisite courses that are offered. The increase in the number of students will not be overnight, but will occur over a few semesters as it will take a little while to build up enough instructors (both full time and part time) to properly staff the increased number of courses. The department was granted a full time hire last year, but due to scheduling changes around the new building the hire was postponed until Spring of 2020. It has been difficult to find a pool of qualified and available part-time individuals who can work during the hours of 7:30 am � 5:30 pm to help absorb the yearly overload on current faculty members (with the current PT staff group shrinking due to various reasons). With the expansion, addition of prerequisite courses that have been added over the past few years, the staffing of Saturday courses, and the PG&E partnership it has become even more essential to hire full time staff. As the Dept. looks to the future the hiring of additional full time instructors will be essential to make the expansion of this program successful. Recruitment is an important part of our program's ability to provide a continuing flow of ready professionals to the workforce. One major recruitment event that the department does annually is Arc Exposure that had 224 participants (51 high school teachers and 185 high school students) in attendance for the 2020 Arc Exposure event. Another major recruitment event that the department does annually is the Chico State/Butte College FFA field day that had 86 contestants in attendance for the 2019 field day. These events are sponsored by industry vendors and local industry businesses. Last spring, staff attended a Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge event for welding in Sacramento, where 150 Boy Scouts participated in the event and earned their Welding Merit Badge. In addition to Arc Exposure, and the FFA field day the Welding Technology Department participates in a number of other recruitment activities. Over the course of the year the department participates in multiple middle school and High School Career Day located in Butte, Glenn, and Tehama County. The Welding Department also gives numerous tours of the welding facility to various junior high and high schools located throughout Northern California. Upon request the Department consistently visits local high school welding programs to speak with prospective students about the opportunities within the welding profession, and the training opportunities that are available at Butte College. The department also regularly participates in many other campus wide and or professional events throughout the year. The department also assists on several campus wide projects and plays a critical role in fabricating small and large scale projects on campus. We work closely with other departments on campus to provide support and collaboration throughout the campus community.
Check for Perkins or Strong Workforce funding and if you received anything, put it here.
In assessing SLO's, there was a broad spectrum of needs due in large part to the adverse situation of navigating courses during a pandemic.
Some common themes were the need for training on new technology especially in relation to that which is needed for remote instruction such as the welding camera.
In addition to technology, the need of finishing outfitting the welding facility still continues to hinder certain classes. Certain things such as inert gas fittings will help to reduce bottlenecks in multiple classes.
Numbers have dipped in recent years due to a few different unfortunate extenuating circumstances. Our Student enrollement dropped drastically after the Camp Fire for a couple reasons.
One the reason is a large number of our students were forced to move and some where unable to return.
Another reason is due to a continued availablity of prevailing jobs in the process of rebuilding the city. A number of our students were able to get prevailing wage jobs without any prior training which kept them from enrolling in our courses.
One of the strengths of the welding program is its success and retention of its welding program students.
The retention of students is incedibly high due to a couple different factors. The first reason has to due to the cohort model we use for our program. This allows faculty to make frequent contact with the student as well as keeping them enrolled in all the classes they need without letting them slip through the cracks.
Another reason is our prerequisite course requirements. These courses ensure students are prepared for program success as well as ensuring the student is committed to the instinsity of the welding program
The decrease in awards are due to a few different factors. As mentiond before, the Camp fire played a large roll in our program numbers. Additionally, program numbers were lowered temporarily for the move to the new facility.
The Welding Department has supported the college in meeting its strategic direction in numerous ways:
Guided Pathways: The Welding Department has created very clear guided pathway that leads to numerous stackable certificates. These stackable certificates lead to both a Certificate of Achievement and an Associates Degree. The scheduling of these classes are very strategic and allow for students to finish any of the welding certificates in a timely fashion.
The Welding Department has created a sequence of prerequisite courses that lead to a small certificates prior to entering the program. These prerequisite courses are offered during the day, and night during the fall and spring semesters, and sections are even available in the summer session. The department chair personally meets with prospective full time students to discuss how the program is structured, and necessary coursework. Students who are working on prerequisite courses are encouraged to complete Associate Degree coursework while simultaneously completing those prerequisite courses.
The Welding Program follows the cohort model for enrollment utilizing corequisite courses throughout both semesters, and the summers session courses. This model helps significantly when utilizing the Hobson Starfish Model. Career and course advising takes place between students and all welding faculty. The collaboration between program instructors helps identify struggling students, and promotes early intervention to try and assist students in getting back on the right track. Instructional staff try and assist struggling students not just in their welding, but help them find other potential funding solutions/programs available and potential scholarship opportunities that may be available to students to help them finish the program.
Closing Equity Gaps: Program faculty attempt to close equity gaps by helping bring awareness to students about potential programs and assistance that may be available to them. Instructors consistently make themselves available outside of program classes to a assist students in both the hard and soft skills required to be successful not just in the welding program, but also within the industry.
Meeting Enrollment Targets: The welding program attempts to make all of the career fairs available, and other opportunities available to promote the Welding program and Butte College as a whole. Faculty visit local high schools, and promote the program through numerous recruitment events such as the FFA field day, and Arc Exposure.
Meeting student achievement goals: The Welding Department has had a good track record for student success in terms of students able to achieve industry recognized certification. Program faculty consistently are brainstorming and implementing methods to help improve curriculum that will help better prepare students for these tests. Curriculum across the program is evaluated and changes are consistently made in an attempt to have constant improvement. Reflection consistently occurs between faculty to help re-evaluate changes made, and improve on future changes necessary to increase student achievement goals.
Fostering a culture of inclusiveness: The department is consistently looking at how to recruit, and retain non traditional students into the program and profession. When possible the department invites minorities and non traditional professionals into the classroom to present to students. All faculty embrace and promote behavior expectations that students are held to. These behavior expectations demand that students show respect for each other, and promote an environment where all individuals feel welcome.
Improving Processes: The welding department consistently evaluates our processes and reporting. Collaboration occurs between faculty looking at student success, and evaluates methods to help improve that. Discussion between faculty occurs to help improve all department processes to help not only make them more efficient, but improve student and program success.
The Validation Team recommends that the Welding Program:
1. Program Expansion - The department has a new facility that will allow for this expansion to take place.
2. Use current space efficiently - the department has been working hard over the past two years to purchase equipment that utilizes less space and in some cases eliminates more that one piece of equipment while improving the equipment that students are trained on to better match the industry.
3. Student to faculty ratio - The Ped cap for program classes was reduced to 16:1. This has seemed to help increase student success. The department will desparately need full time instructors in the coming years to staff increased number of courses within the new welding facility.
4. Facility expansion - This took place in the fall of 2019 when we moved to the new Welding and Manufacturing building.
5. 2+2 articulation - Staff are very involved with this process and feel that this is a great way for students to earn credit prior to leaving high school and be eligible to enter the welding program upon graduation. This also helps with the facility and class impaction on prerequisite courses to some degree. The department continues to offer prerequisite courses in the summer session allowing students to make a smooth transition from the high school level into the full time welding program.
6. Cohort courses that Welding 20 and 21 students can take - the department is still looking at completing this list. It is being looked at to make sure that the courses that students are taking are ones that will also help them earn their degree along the way. This may be more possible in the new facility.
7. Waitlist process - We have reviewed this process and currently found that this one is the best process for us. The department finally has hired a new full time secretary who has significanly helped to clean up this list, and improve the communication between the department and prospective students.
8. Diverse student population - The department has been looking into several different ways to increase a diverse student population. We have been working with the AWS (American Welding Society) to help in this area, but it will take time to see if our efforts are paying off.
9. Technology in the classroom through Blackboard - As a department we have increased the use of Canvas in our courses. Students and staff feel that it is a great tool. Students receive instant feedback which helps them view results faster. Staff also utilizes this tool to post lecture notes and materials that students can have access to again if needed.
The welding program has been dealt an abnormal amount of adversity this year. While the department has successfully implemented safe COVID-19 protocols, of the continuing goals is to contiue to uplhold those protocalls for the students and staff.
With numbers is the school low across all programs, one of the program focuses is to retain all of the students we currently have.
Finally, given the restrictions put in place, a huge goal within the welding program is to find creative ways to recruit potential students.
Strategy 1 - Maintain existing program
Maintain existing program excellence by institutionalization of necessary funds.
Exponential growth of all welding classes and the increased laboratory time for the beginning and intermediate classes that are currently offered and the rising cost of welding supplies necessitate an increase in supply money. We have received adjustments in the supply budget for the past ten year's to adequately serve the program but these dollars need to be institutionalized because current funding sources may not continue to be viable. This relief over and above our previous regular budget ranged from $12,000 to $14,000 per year prior to the expansion. With the expansion, additional prerequisite courses added, changes to curriculum and meeting required industry standards; it is $30,000 that is needed (this additional funding was funded through strong workforce for this years operational budget cycle). With all the information that we have supplied the department is asking for funding to be institutionalized in the amount of $105,000. This dollar amount does not include what the department would need without the current base material donations that instructors are obtaining from industry partners. Without these donations the dollar amount would be $200,000.
With the new facility the department will be increasing by up to 60% over the next couple years. As this occurs the budget increase will need to significantly increase again in order to properly fund this program. The anticipated growth of the full time welding program will also increase the number of prerequisite courses (WLD 20 and WLD 21) that are offered. These prerequisite courses are also requirements for other growing programs such as Heavy Equipment and Automotive’s new Diesel Technology program. The total dollar amount that will be needed is $400,000.00 dollars to operate both cohorts of students in the program while still covering all of the perquisite courses.
Strategy 2 - Upgrade and improve existing equipment
Upgrade and improve existing equipment used for welding certifications.
Replacement of failing Welding Power Sources ($28,200)– The purchase of several multi-process welding power sources will allow students to more efficiently complete certification test per welding codes. Students will utilize the welding machines throughout the duration of the program for lab projects, test coupons, welding bend specimens per welding codes, and for welding certification tests. Students will also utilize this equipment throughout the welding program to complete required course and program assessments prior to becoming a certified welder. These machines provide the latest technology in welding machines that uses to maximize weld production, quality, and performance. Every year we have at least a few machines reach the end of their life span (quit working) and the department must be prepared by having replacement machines available.
Strategy 3 - Professional Devlelopment
Professional Development for 7 instructors to attend advanced welding and advanced manufacturing training.
Industry professionals can provide current, and relevant industrial training to instructors. As the equipment and technology advances instructors need to have the opportunity for access to this critical training. It would be ideal if instructors could attend FAB Tech trade show, and participate in the various training seminars available. The information learned can be brought back to the program curriculum in an effort help keep program instruction on the cutting edge of technology. There are additional instructors within the program that could also benefit from NCCER training.
Strategy 4 - Co-Chairs for the Department
Two Department Chairs having having 40% release time
The future increase of students in the welding program will create two separate cohorts of students. It would benefit both students and welding faculty to have a two department chairs with 40% release time that can support both cohorts. These positions are vital to help manage the department budget, purchasing of supplies, events, recruitment, student outreach, industry outreach, etc. These positions could also work very closely to help coordinate with all pre-requisite, and capstone course instructors to help improve student success throughout the welding program. The current chair is responsible for not only Welding but Advanced Manufacturing as well. Over the next couple years there will be a significant increase in tenured faculty, part time faculty, as well as the planning and adjustment into a new facility to try and coordinate. That is why the department feels that having two department chairs at different sequencing terms allows for a significantly more productive succession plan. Due to the amount of workload that a chair encumbers, a plan such as this is much more manageable.
Strategy 5 - Welding and Advanced Manufacturing Lab Tech
Hire additional full time lab tech assigned to the department to make sure that welding equipment is fully operational for students, help lab instructor setup equipment for demonstrations, help students when needed, and help with daily operations of the welding and manufacturing department.
The construction of a new welding and manufacturing facility has increase the amount of equipment being used. The workload for repairing and maintaining this equipment has significantly increased as more course sections are added, and students are served. The location for the new welding facility is much further away from our service techs when equipment issues arise. The addition of another full time tech assigned to welding would help ensure equipment is being properly maintained and repaired in a timely fashion.
Currently this is prioritized lower because one was funded last year.
1. Supports instruction in the assigned area by preparing lab materials and equipment. Prepares for and cleans up after laboratory sessions.
*2. Provides oversight, direction and guidance to students ensuring proper equipment use. Schedules and oversees the use, repairs, maintenance and ordering of equipment.
*3. Responds to inquiries and demonstrates laboratory procedures and other skills to students. May assist students with computer hardware and software.
*4. Organizes and arranges laboratory space and equipment to maximize efficiency and safety.
*5. Ensures the safe and proper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials; following Federal, State and District requirements.
*6. Dependent upon assignment, understands the operating principles of discipline specific equipment; maintains and performs minor repairs on discipline specific equipment including, but not limited to, CNC equipment, press brakes, drill press, shears, saw, filtration systems, air compressors, welders, oxy-fuel cutting and welding equipment, shielding and cutting gas lines and regulators, powder coating system, sand blasters, and hand and power tools.
*7. Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies. May pickup and deliver supplies to off campus locations.
*8. Organizes and distributes supplies and materials to students; replenishes supplies and materials and maintains all forms, manuals and handouts.
*9. May provide oversight of student study areas as appropriate and may proctor examinations for the Welding and Advanced Manufacturing courses
*10. Maintains and updates technical skills in order to design, create and modify computer methods to include, but not limited to, word processing, design and layout for publications, CAD programs, database development and maintenance and creating and maintaining charts and spreadsheets; researches and compiles data; maintains program participant records and trainings.
*11. Fabricate and or modify instructional items needed for the welding laboratory.
*12. Coordinates with IT to help maintain, Install, and upgrade computer systems and software in the instructional area.
*13. Represents Butte College to the public by setting up displays at local fairs and farm shows, conducting facility tours, hosting professional functions, etc.
*14. Remains available by radio or phone to respond to emergency and hazardous situations.
*15. Maintains bulletin boards and maintains instructional web pages with required information, including safety guidelines; adheres to all departmental policies and procedures to ensure maintenance, lab hours and supplies are sufficient to meet student and instructor demands.
*16. Advises and assists in redesigning and integrating media technologies into traditional course content and in translating new or existing course content into distributable formats. Provides technical assistance to faculty and staff regarding use and maintenance of multimedia modules, video instructional packages and other instructional media.
17. May perform other duties as assigned.
18. May serve on a variety of District committees as requested.
Strategy 6 - Power sources for new welding facility
Purchase welding power sources for new facility
When welding moved over to the new facility there were a number of outdated power sources that were not capable of running off of the 460V power that the new facility has. The department has also adding 34 additional welding booths that will need to be properly outfitted with a AC/DC GTAW welders, and a Multi-process welders. Through various funding streams the department has been able to purchase many of the welders needed, but unfortunately there are still numerous power sources required to completely outfit both shops in a manner so students can properly advance through the lab portions of the welding courses. A number of these power sources are also utilized within the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway as well.
Strategy 7 - Welding and Advanced Manufacturing equipment
Completely outfit the new Welding and Advanced Manufacturing facility with state of the art equipment.
The new facility has a whole manufacturing shop dedicated to state of the art fabrication equipment. The department has been trying hard to update outdated and worn out equipment before moving into the new shop. In addition to replacing outdated equipment it is also essential to purchase additional state of the art fabrication equipment to reflect the type of equipment students will be using within the industry. There is still worn out equipment that has a difficult time keeping the types of tolerances necessary to teach modern fabrication skills. This equipment needs to be updated to the CNC equipment that is found in industry. In addition to replacing worn out equipment there are still a few pieces of equipment that have been programmed into the new facility, but we not been able to purchase yet. Students need to have the opportunity to learn proper set up and operation of the equipment that is currently being used in industry.
Strategy 8 - Utilize Current Shop Space and Storage
Purchase a large plate and steel rack
Currently plate and sheet metal are scattered out throughout the welding shop. The department would like to purchase a large sheet and plate rack to centralize where the material is at. This purchase will help to maximize the storage efficiency within the new facility. The department is currently evaluating the purchase of one rack, but a second is will be desperately needed to efficenelty store sheet metal within the facility. Students and instructors currently lose a significant amount of time digging through buried stacks of sheet metal trying to get to the correct size and thickness of sheet for the project. In the new facility both Welding and Advanced Manufacturing will be using a significant amount of sheet metal and plate, so maximizing of storage is critical.
Strategy 9 - Welding Simulator
purchase welding simulator for student training
A welding simulator would allow students to practice welding techniques on multiple welding processes without the use of consumables. Students could develop muscle memory and skill without consuming expensive base material and filler material. A simulator could also be extremely useful when staff members attend various career workshops as welding can be simulated without the risk of burning junior high and high school students who are seeking potential career options for themselves.
Strategy 10 - Hire Technician or Mechanic for Industrial Technology Area
Hire a mechanic or additional technician to replace the retirement of an Ag Mechanic in the spring of 2018
In the spring of 2018 one of the Ag Mechanics retired, and that position has yet to be replaced. This has left the remaining two with the responsibility of covering Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, and Welding. All of these programs are expanding, and other programs such as HVAC, Construction, Diesel, and Advanced Manufacturing have also been added. This has resulted in an incredible amount of work for the remaining employees. The remaining mechanics have worked very hard to adequately support the programs they support, but there are not enough hours in the day to keep the aging equipment in these programs up and going without additional support.
Strategy 11 - Administrative Secretary
Hire a full time administrative secretary for Welding and Advanced Manufacturing
There are numerous Career and Technical programs that are expanding, and new ones on the horizon. Currently our Dept. secretary does not have enough bandwidth to cover the existing programs in our area. New programs were added this past Fall semester (Construction, HVAC, and Advanced Manufacturing). These programs will take additional support especially as these programs grow. This past semester the Welding department added another cohort of students as well. There is a considerable amount of time necessary to properly support these programs. The Administrative support in the Industrial Technologies area is critical to manage cohort enrollment, program waitlist, and prerequisite waitlists. Communication with students on the various program waitlists is essential to not only keep students engaged, but communicate with prospective students the necessary steps and requirement of the program enrollments. In addition to the day to day work of our administrative secretary (common to most department secretaries) there is a significant amount of time that goes into our many recruitment events such as ARC EXPOSURE.
Strategy 12 - Forklift with a Rotator attachment
Purchase a larger forklift with a rotator attachement
Currently the welding and advanced manufacturing program has to dump scrap bins in an unsafe method. We dump our bins into the large scrap bins, then climb into the bin, hook a chain to the box, and lift out the emptied bin. A rotator allows the forks to rotate 360 degrees, allowing an operator to safely dump scrap bins by themselves. When a rotator is added to a forklift it reduces the forklifts lifting capacity. The current forklift has a significant number of hours on it, and if a rotator was added to it the department could not unload a number of the larger orders of plate and pipe that we receive. The Welding program has expanded the number of classes and significantly increased the number of scrap bins from 12 to approximately 23.
Strategy 13 - SolidWorks software
Purchasing of stand-alone Solidworks software that is capable of being used both on campus and off campus
As the Welding Technology program begins to get more automated it will require a more current version of Solidworks. Virtually all of the industry that is currently utilizing CNC equipment will be using software such as Solidworks or a comparable program to design, and engineer their products. This software is essential in order to push the program to the next level.
Strategy 14 - Pipe and material racks
purchase pipe and material racks for welding and advanced manufacturing breezeway
Due to DSA requirements a number of older non-engineered material racks that were being used at the old facility will not be able to be used within the new facility. Heavy duty industrial stock material racks would significantly improve the storage of material within the new Welding facility and Advanced Manufacturing Facility. The new building is significantly larger, but in order to keep material covered/protected from the weather it is essential to purchase additional racks and locking cabinets to assist in making our current area more efficient.
Strategy 15 - tools and supplies to complete program expansion
Purchase additional tools and supplies necessary to complete program expansion
With the new facility there are now two repair shops and two welding shops to outfit with tools, and supplies. As course section numbers increase the department will need to purchase additional welding helmets, cutting goggles, hand tools, tig torches etc. in order to work efficiently in new facility.
Strategy 16 - Computer hardware upgrade
Purchase computers capable of running current CAD and 3D-modeling software
Purchasing of computers that meet the minimum requirements of most CAD and 3D modeling programs such as Solidworks. As the welding industry becomes more automated most parts, projects, and products are developed in a CAD drafting program or 3D modeling program. We as a department are currently using such programs but the hardware that we have is not capable of keeping up with the software that we are using. The current computers model that we have is a Dell Latitude E7450 running an Intel Core i5 – 5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz with 8 GB of Installed memory (RAM). The requirements for Running a 3d modeling program like Solidworks 2020 is a CPU capable of 3.30GHz, 16 - 32GB of RAM, a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processing unit with 2 GB minimum memory, 4GB recommended, it is also recommended that this runs off of a solid state drive (SSD) versus a standard hard drive.
This is currently a critical issue in the department because of the high demands of the programs being used the computers are crashing and overheating leading to weeks without computers available. Computers with the minimum requirements would allow the department to be more productive, create more up to date assignments/projects, and allow the students to use the current software that is being used in industry.
Dell Precision 5540 Mobile Workstation (laptop) – 4,400.00
Dell Precision 7920 Tower Workstation (desktop) – 4,700.00
Purchasing of computers that meet the minimum requirements of most CAD and 3D modeling programs such as Solidworks is essential for the welding Program. With the high tech automation industry most parts, projects, and products are developed in a CAD drafting program or 3D modeling program. The program will require units capable of running the minimum requirements for these programs which are: A CPU capable of 3.30GHz, 32GB of RAM, a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processing unit with 4 GB minimum memory, it is also recommended that this runs off of a solid state drive (SSD) versus a standard hard drive.
Strategy 17 - Workstation filter replacement
Replacement of welding and cutting station filters within the new facility
The new welding facility has a filtration unit for every welding station and all of the cutting stations. The units are designed to be self-cleaning, and are programmed to be cleaned daily. Most of the particulate is removed from the filter, but not everything. At some point the filter media will become loaded with enough particulate that the filters will need to be replaced. The longevity of the filters is not known at this time due to numerous variables that include: compressed air quality, welding processes that are being used within the booths, and how many hours the booths operate (some booths get significantly more use than others depending on location in the lab). Currently there are no replacement filters, and unfortunately when a few of them start to load up there will be numerous afterwards that will need replacement. The district will need to be prepared for this by having replacement filters on hand.
Strategy 18 - Ventilation System Replacement/Reconstruction
Replace ventilation system within both welding shops
The ventilation in the new welding facility in not capable of withstanding the amount of heavy use it receives within the welding program. This is resulting in extremely poor air quality and interferes with the students’ ability to continually practice welding during lab. Even with all the filters running in the welding lab the air quality is noticeably different within an hour of the students welding, a haze starts to form in the poorly circulated parts of the shop and can be noticed as dust settling on the tops of the ducting and booths. This particulate matter has caused illness, respiratory distress, severe headaches, body aches and bloody noses. These symptoms are all indicative of metal fume fever. The students ask constantly about what is going to be done to fix the ventilation. It is clear why they ask when you go into their booth, where rather than evacuate the smoke and fumes the filtration system removes part of the smoke and fumes allowing the rest to circulate within the welding booth. This hampers the students in a few different ways. It causes them to want to exit the booth and lab often to remove themselves from the fumes and allow the booth the clear out slowing productivity and student advancement. The smoke in the booth also makes it difficult to see the weld being performed making instruction and improvement of the students’ ability go down drastically. It also creates a poor learning environment as it causes the instructor and students to wear respirators making it difficult to converse about the students welds and improvements that can be made. The vent system incorporates two fans and motors that feed into a filter. These fans are mounted to each booth in such a way that they cause excessive noise in the booths making it difficult for students to hear instruction while welding.
This ventilation system is also not sustainable within the department budget as the filters are approximately $700 each and after being used in the new facility for around 2 months we currently have 10 of 46 filters that need to be replaced shortly. When we need to replace all of the filters the cost will be $74,000.
Metal Fume Fever
http://www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/safety/welding-fume-health-hazards
Approximate cost for department is 2,000,000.00 - 8,000,000.00
There are none at this time.
Non-district revenue streams come from donations, strong workforce, and Perkins funding. The Department has been the reciepient of significant strong workforce funds, but over the last year has not recieved funding from either CCPT, or Prop 39. Both of these funding sources significantly helped the program in the past. The existing funds will not be adequate to properly fund the expansion of this program. In addition to the expansion the program has added a significant amount of techical training that involves higher cost base materials and alloys to the existing curricullum. Rising cost of base materials, filler materials, and other welding consumables will continue to be a hurdle for the welding program in the future.
The department also relies heavily upon donations from our industry partners and community members.
Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
1 | Welding Technology | Operating Expenses | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 51000/5430 | $0.00 | $320,000.00 |
Maintain existing program excellence by institutionalization of necessary funds. | Exponential growth of all welding classes and the increased laboratory time for the beginning and intermediate classes that are currently offered and the rising cost of welding supplies necessitate an increase in supply money. We have received adjustments in the supply budget for the past ten year's to adequately serve the program but these dollars need to be institutionalized because current funding sources may not continue to be viable. This relief over and above our previous regular budget ranged from $12,000 to $14,000 per year prior to the expansion. With the expansion, additional prerequisite courses added, changes to curriculum and meeting required industry standards; it is $30,000 that is needed (this additional funding was funded through strong workforce for this years operational budget cycle). With all the information that we have supplied the department is asking for funding to be institutionalized in the amount of $105,000. This dollar amount does not include what the department would need without the current base material donations that instructors are obtaining from industry partners. Without these donations the dollar amount would be $200,000. With the new facility the department will be increasing by up to 60% over the next couple years. As this occurs the budget increase will need to significantly increase again in order to properly fund this program. The anticipated growth of the full time welding program will also increase the number of prerequisite courses (WLD 20 and WLD 21) that are offered. These prerequisite courses are also requirements for other growing programs such as Heavy Equipment and Automotive�s new Diesel Technology program. The total dollar amount that will be needed is $400,000.00 dollars to operate both cohorts of students in the program while still covering all of the perquisite courses. |
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2 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $40,000.00 | $0.00 |
Purchase a large plate and steel rack | Currently plate and sheet metal are scattered out throughout the welding shop. The department would like to purchase a large sheet and plate rack to centralize where the material is at. This purchase will help to maximize the storage efficiency within our current facility and the new facility. Students and instructors currently lose a significant amount of time digging through buried stacks of sheet metal trying to get to the correct size and thickness of sheet for the project. In the new facility both Welding and Advanced Manufacturing will be using a significant amount of sheet metal and plate, so maximizing of storage is critical. |
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3 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $35,000.00 | $0.00 |
Forklift with a Rotator | Currently the welding and advanced manufacturing program has to dump scrap bins in an unsafe method. We dump our bins into the large scrap bins, then climb into the bin, hook a chain to the box, and lift out the emptied bin. A rotator allows the forks to rotate 360 degrees, allowing an operator to safely dump scrap bins by themselves. When a rotator is added to a forklift it reduces the forklifts lifting capacity. The current forklift has a significant number of hours on it, and if a rotator was added to it the department could not unload a number of the larger orders of plate and pipe that we receive. The Welding program has expanded the number of classes and significantly increased the number of scrap bins from 12 to approximately 23. |
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4 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $82,307.00 |
Administrative Secretary | There are numerous Career and Technical programs that are expanding, and new ones on the horizon. Currently our Dept. secretary does not have enough bandwidth to cover the existing programs in our area. New programs were added this past Fall semester (Construction, HVAC, and Advanced Manufacturing). These programs will take additional support especially as these programs grow. This past semester the Welding department added another cohort of students as well. There is a considerable amount of time necessary to properly support these programs. The Administrative support in the Industrial Technologies area is critical to manage cohort enrollment, program waitlist, and prerequisite waitlists. Communication with students on the various program waitlists is essential to not only keep students engaged, but communicate with prospective students the necessary steps and requirement of the program enrollments. In addition to the day to day work of our administrative secretary (common to most department secretaries) there is a significant amount of time that goes into our many recruitment events such as ARC EXPOSURE. |
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5 | Welding Technology | Facilities | 11.000.515.1.0956 | 56610 | $4,000,000.00 | $0.00 |
Ventilation system replacement/reconstruction | The ventilation in the new welding facility in not capable of withstanding the amount of heavy use it receives within the welding program. This is resulting in extremely poor air quality and interferes with the students? ability to continually practice welding during lab. Even with all the filters running in the welding lab the air quality is noticeably different within an hour of the students welding, a haze starts to form in the poorly circulated parts of the shop and can be noticed as dust settling on the tops of the ducting and booths. This particulate matter has caused illness, respiratory distress, severe headaches, body aches and bloody noses. These symptoms are all indicative of metal fume fever. The students ask constantly about what is going to be done to fix the ventilation. It is clear why they ask when you go into their booth, where rather than evacuate the smoke and fumes the filtration system removes part of the smoke and fumes allowing the rest to circulate within the welding booth. This hampers the students in a few different ways. It causes them to want to exit the booth and lab often to remove themselves from the fumes and allow the booth the clear out slowing productivity and student advancement. The smoke in the booth also makes it difficult to see the weld being performed making instruction and improvement of the students? ability go down drastically. It also creates a poor learning environment as it causes the instructor and students to wear respirators making it difficult to converse about the students welds and improvements that can be made. The vent system incorporates two fans and motors that feed into a filter. These fans are mounted to each booth in such a way that they cause excessive noise in the booths making it difficult for students to hear instruction while welding. This ventilation system is also not sustainable within the department budget as the filters are approximately $700 each and after being used in the new facility for around 2 months we currently have 10 of 46 filters that need to be replaced shortly. To replace a set of these filters (all of the booths) is an estimated cost of $72,000. Metal Fume Fever http://www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/safety/welding-fume-health-hazards Approximate cost for department is 2,000,000.00 - 8,000,000.00 |
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6 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $25,000.00 | $0.00 |
Heavy duty pipe/material rack | Due to DSA requirements a number of older non-engineered material racks that were being used at the old facility will not be able to be used within the new facility. Heavy duty industrial stock material racks would significantly improve the storage of material within the new Welding and Advanced Manufacturing Facility. The new building is significantly larger, but in order to keep material covered/protected from the weather it is essential to purchase additional racks and locking cabinets to assist in making our current area more efficient. |
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7 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $23,000.00 | $0.00 |
Instructor computer upgrade | Purchasing of computers that meet the minimum requirements of most CAD and 3D modeling programs such as Solidworks. As the welding industry becomes more automated most parts, projects, and products are developed in a CAD drafting program or 3D modeling program. We as a department are currently using such programs but the hardware that we have is not capable of keeping up with the software that we are using. The current computers model that we have is a Dell Latitude E7450 running an Intel Core i5 � 5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz with 8 GB of Installed memory (RAM). The requirements for Running a 3d modeling program like Solidworks 2020 is a CPU capable of 3.30GHz, 16 - 32GB of RAM, a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processing unit with 2 GB minimum memory, 4GB recommended, it is also recommended that this runs off of a solid state drive (SSD) versus a standard hard drive. This is currently a critical issue in the department because of the high demands of the programs being used the computers are crashing and overheating leading to weeks without computers available. Computers with the minimum requirements would allow the department to be more productive, create more up to date assignments/projects, and allow the students to use the current software that is being used in industry. Dell Precision 5540 Mobile Workstation (laptop) � 4,400.00 http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/new-precision-5540-mobile-workstation/spd/precision-15-5540-laptop/xctop554015us4 Dell Precision 7920 Tower Workstation (desktop) � 4,700.00 http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-all-in-one-pcs/precision-7920-tower-workstation/spd/precision-7920-workstation/xctopt7920us_3 Purchasing of computers that meet the minimum requirements of most CAD and 3D modeling programs such as Solidworks is essential for the welding Program. With the high tech automation industry most parts, projects, and products are developed in a CAD drafting program or 3D modeling program. The program will require units capable of running the minimum requirements for these programs which are: A CPU capable of 3.30GHz, 32GB of RAM, a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processing unit with 4 GB minimum memory, it is also recommended that this runs off of a solid state drive (SSD) versus a standard hard drive. |
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8 | Welding Technology | Operating Expenses | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 51000/5430 | $25,280.00 | $0.00 |
Purchase tools and supplies to complete program expansion | With the new facility there are now two repair shops and two welding shops to outfit with tools, and supplies. As course section numbers increase the department will need to purchase additional welding helmets, cutting goggles, hand tools, tig torches etc. in order to work efficiently in new facility. |
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9 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $25,000.00 | $0.00 |
Welding Simulator | A welding simulator would allow students to practice welding techniques on multiple welding processes without the use of consumables. Students could develop muscle memory and skill without consuming expensive base material and filler material. A simulator could also be extremely useful when staff members attend various career workshops as welding can be simulated without the risk of burning junior high and high school students who are seeking potential career options for themselves. |
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10 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $49,000.00 |
co - department chairs at 40% | The future increase of students in the welding program will create two separate cohorts of students. It would benefit both students and welding faculty to have a two department chairs with 40% release time that can support both cohorts. These positions are vital to help manage the department budget, purchasing of supplies, events, recruitment, student outreach, industry outreach, etc. These positions could also work very closely to help coordinate with all pre-requisite, and capstone course instructors to help improve student success throughout the welding program. The current chair is responsible for not only Welding but Advanced Manufacturing as well. Over the next couple years there will be a significant increase in tenured faculty, part time faculty, as well as the planning and adjustment into a new facility to try and coordinate. That is why the department feels that having two department chairs at different sequencing terms allows for a significantly more productive succession plan. Due to the amount of workload that a chair encumbers, a plan such as this is much more manageable. |
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11 | Welding | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $622,000.00 | $0.00 |
Purchase power sources for new welding facility | When welding moved over to the new facility there were a number of outdated power sources that were not capable of running off of the 460V power that the new facility has. The department has also adding 34 additional welding booths that will need to be properly outfitted with a AC/DC GTAW welders, and a Multi-process welders. Through various funding streams the department has been able to purchase many of the welders needed, but unfortunately there are still numerous power sources required to completely outfit both shops in a manner so students can properly advance through the lab portions of the welding courses. A number of these power sources are also utilized within the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway as well. |
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12 | Welding Technology | Operating Expenses | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $15,000.00 | $0.00 |
Professional Development for 7 instructors to attend advanced welding, fabrication and CNC training | Industry professionals can provide current, and relevant industrial training to instructors. As the equipment and technology advances instructors need to have the opportunity for access to this critical training. It would be ideal if instructors could attend FAB Tech trade show, and participate in the various training seminars available. The information learned can be brought back to the program curriculum in an effort help keep program instruction on the cutting edge of technology. There are additional instructors within the program that could benefit from NCCER training. |
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13 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $8,000.00 | $0.00 |
Purchase Solidworks software | As the Welding Technology program begins to get more automated it will require a more current version of Solidworks. Virtually all of the industry that is currently utilizing CNC equipment will be using software such as Solidworks or a comparable program to design, and engineer their products. This software is essential in order to push the program to the next level. This software could be utilized in the Drafting, and Advanced Manufacturing program |
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14 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $28,200.00 | $0.00 |
Upgrade of engine driven power sources used for welding certifications. | Replacement of failing engine driven power sources ($28,200)� The purchase of additional several multi-process engine driven power sources will allow students to more efficiently complete certification test per welding codes. Students will utilize the welding machines throughout the duration of the program for lab projects, test coupons, welding bend specimens per welding codes, and for welding certification tests. Students will also utilize this equipment throughout the welding program to complete required course and program assessments prior to becoming a certified welder. These machines provide the latest technology in welding machines that uses to maximize weld production, quality, and performance. Students who would like to enter the field welding portion of the industry must have some experience working off engine driven welders and related equipment |
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15 | Welding | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $750,000.00 | $0.00 |
Complete Welding and Advanced Manufacturing lab build outs | The new facility has a whole manufacturing shop dedicated to state of the art fabrication equipment. The department has been trying hard to update outdated and worn out equipment before moving into the new shop. In addition to replacing outdated equipment it is also essential to purchase additional state of the art fabrication equipment to reflect the type of equipment students will be using within the industry. There is still worn out equipment that has a difficult time keeping the types of tolerances necessary to teach modern fabrication skills. This equipment needs to be updated to the CNC equipment that is found in industry. In addition to replacing worn out equipment there are still a few pieces of equipment that have been programmed into the new facility, but we not been able to purchase yet. Students need to have the opportunity to learn proper set up and operation of the equipment that is currently being used in industry. |
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16 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $85,000.00 |
Hiring of a second full time lab tech assigned to the Welding and Advanced Manufacturing Department to make sure that the equipment is fully operational for students, help students when needed, and help with daily operations of the welding and manufacturing department. | Hire additional lab tech to make sure that welding and advanced manufacturing equipment is fully operational for students, help lab instructor setup equipment for demonstrations, help students when needed, and help with daily operations of the welding and manufacturing department. Currently this is prioritized lower because one was funded last year. 1. Supports instruction in the assigned area by preparing lab materials and equipment. Prepares for and cleans up after laboratory sessions. *2. Provides oversight, direction and guidance to students ensuring proper equipment use. Schedules and oversees the use, repairs, maintenance and ordering of equipment. *3. Responds to inquiries and demonstrates laboratory procedures and other skills to students. May assist students with computer hardware and software. *4. Organizes and arranges laboratory space and equipment to maximize efficiency and safety. *5. Ensures the safe and proper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials; following Federal, State and District requirements. *6. Dependent upon assignment, understands the operating principles of discipline specific equipment; maintains and performs minor repairs on discipline specific equipment including, but not limited to, CNC equipment, press brakes, drill press, shears, saw, filtration systems, air compressors, welders, oxy-fuel cutting and welding equipment, shielding and cutting gas lines and regulators, powder coating system, sand blasters, and hand and power tools. *7. Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies. May pickup and deliver supplies to off campus locations. *8. Organizes and distributes supplies and materials to students; replenishes supplies and materials and maintains all forms, manuals and handouts. *9. May provide oversight of student study areas as appropriate and may proctor examinations for the Welding and Advanced Manufacturing courses *10. Maintains and updates technical skills in order to design, create and modify computer methods to include, but not limited to, word processing, design and layout for publications, CAD programs, database development and maintenance and creating and maintaining charts and spreadsheets; researches and compiles data; maintains program participant records and trainings. *11. Fabricate and or modify instructional items needed for the welding laboratory. *12. Coordinates with IT to help maintain, Install, and upgrade computer systems and software in the instructional area. *13. Represents Butte College to the public by setting up displays at local fairs and farm shows, conducting facility tours, hosting professional functions, etc. *14. Remains available by radio or phone to respond to emergency and hazardous situations. *15. Maintains bulletin boards and maintains instructional web pages with required information, including safety guidelines; adheres to all departmental policies and procedures to ensure maintenance, lab hours and supplies are sufficient to meet student and instructor demands. *16. Advises and assists in redesigning and integrating media technologies into traditional course content and in translating new or existing course content into distributable formats. Provides technical assistance to faculty and staff regarding use and maintenance of multimedia modules, video instructional packages and other instructional media. 17. May perform other duties as assigned. 18. May serve on a variety of District committees as requested. |
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17 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $85,000.00 |
Hire a mechanic or additional technician to replace the retirement of an Ag Mechanic in the spring of 2018 | In the spring of 2018 one of the Ag Mechanics retired, and that position has yet to be replaced. This has left the remaining two with the responsibility of covering Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, and Welding. All of these programs are expanding, and other programs such as HVAC, Construction, Diesel, and Advanced Manufacturing have also been added. This has resulted in an incredible amount of work for the remaining employees. The remaining mechanics have worked very hard to adequately support the programs they support, but there are not enough hours in the day to keep the aging equipment in these programs up and going without additional support. |
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18 | Welding Technology | Facilities | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $0.00 | $71,799.00 |
Replacement of welding and cutting station filters | The new welding facility has a filtration unit for every welding station and all of the cutting stations. The units are designed to be self-cleaning, and are programmed to be cleaned daily. Most of the particulate is removed from the filter, but not everything. At some point the filter media will become loaded with enough particulate that the filters will need to be replaced. The longevity of the filters is not known at this time due to numerous variables that include: compressed air quality, welding processes that are being used within the booths, and how many hours the booths operate (some booths get significantly more use than others depending on location in the lab). Currently there are no replacement filters, and unfortunately when a few of them start to load up there will be numerous afterwards that will need replacement. The district will need to be prepared for this by having replacement filters on hand. |
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