An impressive and growing trend has been noted in recent months at the Hobart Institute.  Instead of just taking the minimum number of classes to complete the nine-month Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program or the five-month Structural Welding Program, an increasing number of students are expanding their capabilities by completing such courses as Pipe Layout for Fitters and Welders, Fundamentals of Visual Inspection, Arc Welding Inspection and Quality Control, and Liquid Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Inspection.

One such student is James Bradley (Brad) Singleton of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  I asked Brad why he chose to take the extra classes.  He replied, “It will be useful for me to obtain all the welding-related education I can before pursuing my career.  It will open opportunities for me on the job site if I have the expanded capabilities.”

Brad has been interested in welding since early elementary school and chose welding “because it allows me to have a hands-on career with a great opportunity to be successful doing something that I enjoy,” he says.  “Hobart Institute has helped prepare me to achieve my goals.”

Students who have taken these inspection courses would certainly have an edge in the workplace.  The ability to recognize weld discontinuities allows them to correct any problems at the source and eliminates more costly rework that will be a benefit to their employers.  It also paves the way for them to take positions in the quality control areas and will improve their aptitude as future certified welding inspectors.

If you are a Hobart graduate whose time would not allow you to enroll in the inspection courses while you were a student, it isn’t too late.  The Fundamentals of Visual Inspection is just a three-day class, while the Arc Welding Inspection and Quality Control, and Liquid Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Inspection last just five days.  These courses are open to anyone wishing to expand their capabilities or to any company who would like to offer a short-course of training to improve their employees’ competence.

Please call 1-800-332-9448, ext. 5300 or 937-332-5300.  If you prefer, you may visit the web site at http://www.welding.org under technical training.  Registration forms and further information is available online.