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Olney Central College Welding Specialist Maverick Fisher has earned his Certified Welding Inspector credentials through the American Welding Society.
The CWI designation is recognized both nationally and internationally and is one of the highest certifications available through the AWS. The certification qualifies Fisher to conduct visual inspections and make sure students perform acceptable welds according to the set codes.
“Students will be able to have proof of welding certifications when they apply for positions,” Fisher added.
Fisher began preparing for the CWI test in November and completed the examination last month.
To obtain the certification, Fisher had to complete a six-hour exam at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, Ohio. The test covers welding fundamentals, practical application and code application.
“It was very intense,” Fisher said. “It is estimated that only 35 percent of those who take the test pass it on the first try. I was studying 8 to 12 hours a day leading up to the testing.”
Fisher, who joined OCC last fall, will be teaching the new Welding Associate Degree, which is an Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Title III Block Grant Program. Over the past few months, Fisher has been writing the two-year welding curriculum, which will be offered in August 2021.
“When we get the new degree up and running, I have no doubt in my mind that it will be comparable to the big national programs at half the cost,” he said. “I’ve been going through the curriculums of Tulsa Welding School and Hobart and they are not offering any classes we won’t have here.”
The new program also will give students access to more materials. Students will gain experience working with aluminum, stainless steel and several exotic metals.
“We will have enough materials that how much a student welds will be up to them,” he said. “I feel like our students will have 120 or more pipe tests by the time they leave the program. With the extra material and time, we will have an entire class dedicated to fabrication. The grant has really allowed us to step up our game.”
The grant also is providing funds for new state-of-the-art equipment for the associate degree welding lab, which will be located at the West Richland Center in Noble.
“We are refurbishing everything,” Fisher said. “It will be brand new. Nothing old is staying.”
Students interested in pursuing an associate’s degree in welding can begin first-year classes this fall. For more information or to register, contact Vicki Thompson at 618-393-3314 or thompsonv@iecc.edu. Classes start Aug. 20.
The Title III program is supported in part by a five-year grant awarded to Olney Central College from the U.S. Department of Education effective October 1, 2018. The estimated total cost for all project activities is $2,506,775 financed by the grant award of $2,249,968 (90%) and $256,807 (10%) by Olney Central College.
