Welding programs at McKenzie Career Center and Ball State University are enhanced by the use of training materials developed at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. 

 “I use all Hobart Institute materials in my high school classes and in the courses I teach for college students,” says William “Ed” Wyatt, long-time instructor of the programs in Indiana. 

Wyatt is a Ball State alumnus and has been a pipe welder for Indiana Gas Company. He has been named Educator of the Year by the Indiana Section of the American Welding Society and has been referred to as “Mr. Welding of Indiana.” Wyatt teaches at the McKenzie Career Center in Indianapolis and is a faculty member in the Department of Industry and Technology at Ball State.

For the past two summers, Indiana teachers involved in career and technical education have gathered for a one-week workshop sponsored by Ball State University’s Department of Technology and the McKenzie Career Center, with Wyatt as the program’s instructor.  Ed is joined by Jack Wescott, chairman of the Department of Technology at Ball State, and Tom Jarvis, a lab technician for Purdue University.

Ed provides demonstrations and presents Hobart Institute’s training DVD’s.  Wyatt said most of the participants also appreciate the hands-on opportunities offered by the workshop.

"We turn them loose and they come to me if they have questions," he said. "It's the best way for them to learn how to use the tools."

Specific hands-on topics and laboratory experiences include oxy fuel welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, robotic welding, blacksmithing and material properties.  Guest speakers also provide information to the participants.

“The workshop was a great opportunity to gain exposure to welding, blacksmithing, and material properties.  With hands-on experience lab time and instructors with professional welding experience, I was able to gain more knowledge to take back to my students,” commented Annette Applegate, Ag Teacher, Perry Central High School, Leopold, Indiana.

“The main purpose of the workshop is to support public school teachers and upgrade their skills,” said Jack Wescott.

"Teachers [in Indiana] have two options for license renewal," Suzie Jones, project coordinator for the School of Extended Education at Ball State, said. "One is take six hours of credit courses; the other is take a workshop like this that offers CRUs." [certification renewal units.] 

 You will find Hobart Institute training materials at http://www.welding.org/cart/bookindex.htm  or call 1-800-332-9448 ext. 5433 for a catalog.