Justin Schmidt graduated from Gaylord High School in Gaylord, Michigan and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Welding Engineering from Ferris State University. He has 16 years professional experience including working as a welding engineer at L & W Engineering and as a welding professor at Monroe County Community College.
Welding Technology
Most of the objects around us including buildings, bridges, vehicles, computers, and medical devices are welded, brazed, or soldered. Welding is both a science and an art that requires skilled technicians to operate the most basic to high-tech equipment. Job prospects for welders trained in the latest technologies are good nationally and in southern Michigan. Completers of the LISD TECH Center welding program have little difficulty finding work. Successful students are often recruited for employment prior to graduation.
Program Description
This program provides students with an opportunity to explore a wide variety of welding processes, as well as the knowledge, skills, safety, and professional behaviors necessary for competent performance as a welder or welding technician. Students in this program will learn the basic science about metal and the many different ways to weld, cut, solder, or braze metals together, including: shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc welding, thermal cutting, and weld inspection. Safety and welding code and procedures for a variety of industrial applications will be emphasized. Students are able to earn Jackson College credit as part of this program.
To Be Successful
Success students are typically creative, enjoy working with their hands, are problem solvers, and have math, science, and reading skills. Welders generally are detail-orientated, have a steady hand, and excellent hand-eye coordination, good physical stamina and strength, and are able to read, understand, and interpret two- and three-dimensional diagrams.
Student Organization
SkillsUSA
Instructor
Teacher Assistant
Tony Miller is a graduate of Tecumseh High School and the Vo-Tech Culinary Arts program. After working 15 years in the culinary industry, he decided he wanted to try something different. Tony enrolled in a basic welding course at Washtenaw Community College, which led to a newfound passion for welding and fabrication and an associate’s degree. He began his welding career as a lab tech in the WCC welding lab and later worked for GT Fab and Welding in Westland, MI, which was owned by one of his college instructors. Tony worked there for seven years specializing in aluminum and stainless steel welding and fabrication. To expand his knowledge in the field, he acquired a job at Swanton Welding in their heavy fabrication facility in Wauseon, OH, where he fabricated and welded large dredge ships and heavy specialty trailers.