SPSCC’s Welding Program Makes Renovations

Throughout the summer of 2022, the Welding program’s space in Building 16 at SPSCC’s Olympia Campus experienced a major overhaul. When students returned for Fall Quarter, they had a redesigned shop with new welding booths, new equipment, and new opportunities waiting for them.

“As a department, we recognized a lot of the benefits that could be gained from redesigning the space,” said welding instructor Dan Main. “The design process got started in September 2021 and we were constantly refining the design throughout the rest of the year.”

Main shared that the goal was to make the space safer and more efficient for students. “The welding booths are where they spend most of their time. The new booths are over three times the size of the old ones and they have much better lighting, ventilation, and access to tools.”

The classroom was also redesigned to better fit the space. “The old classroom was much larger than it needed to be and had high ceilings. That made the acoustics hard to work with, especially when there was a class and shop going on at the same time,” Main added. “Having a more appropriately sized classroom makes it easier to have discussions and is overall much more enjoyable.”

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from those who were enrolled before the redesign, like Ian Poyner. “Before, everything was cramped and tight. It’s really nice to have these huge booths and lots of space to move around so we can position ourselves however we need to complete projects,” he said. “The openness is helpful, too, and it makes it easier to find an instructor if you have any questions.”

“The new shop is much more spacious,” added student Tracie Martinez. “It pretty much has everything you could think of that you could need in a Welding program.”

While all the major construction has been completed, the Welding program is still working on smaller projects to continue improving the space. Students have been building brackets and shelves to be installed in the booths and are learning to use all the new equipment and tools that have been added.

“We wanted to make sure the students have a better experience in the program and are more prepared when they leave,” said Main. “The new space is more efficient than what we had before and much more enjoyable for everyone.”

New students can start in the Welding program in winter, spring, or fall. SPSCC offers morning and afternoon programs for degree-seeking students. We also offer night courses both for students new to welding and for more experienced students preparing for industry certification exams. Applications to SPSCC are now open and all applicants are accepted to the college.