Overview
This 12-week accelerated training program is a full-time commitment designed to help support the need for welders in the submarine shipbuilding supply chain.
Submarine shipbuilding programs are vital to U.S. defense and national strategy. The submarine shipbuilding prime contractors and their suppliers perform a critical range of unique functions that require specific, well-developed skills in their workforce. The anticipated demand for submarine production and the current shape and demographics of the workforce indicates a shortage of workers with appropriate skills. Some of the country’s most significant Defense resources are based in New England, as are many supply chain companies and support the defense economy.
Throughout New England, as of 2022, there are currently 406,523 jobs supported in the defense sector, a total of $40.3B in income in this sector and an annual economic output of $119.1B – all in the New England area. Welding is a key skill needed as part of this pipeline of work.
Training includes:
- Welding safety protocols
- Welding fundamentals, covering the four major welding processes
- MIG / TIG welding
- Blueprint reading
- Math
Program Outcomes
Though there are many Welding training programs available in New England, the Manchester Community College (MCC) Workforce 12-week Accelerated Welding Program is designed to provide short-term training with long-term benefits to those participating.
At the conclusion of the program, students will be introduced to employers in the submarine shipbuilding supply chain across New England. Also, upon successful completion, this 12-week program may provide transfer credit for the time earned into MCC’s 2-year Associate Degree in welding.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, students must be:
- 18 years old
- US Citizen, Green Card holder, and/or US Asylum seeker
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required
Please note: To gain employment in this field, employers may have additional requirements, as defense work is regulated by the Department of Defense.
Class Format
This program consists of 402+ hours of instruction, including 288 of those hours being hands-on lab experience.
- 38 hours, in-person fundamentals
- 38 hours, in-person Mig/Tig
- 38 hours, in-person Blueprint Reading
- 288 hours, in-person Practical Lab
- Up to 24 hours, in-person Math Skills
Hourly Commitment
| Program Area | Delivered via | Weekly Details | Total Hrs. |
| Welding Classroom Lab | In-Person Learning at MCC Welding Lab | 20–25 hrs. per Week | 288 hrs. |
| Welding Classroom Theory | In-Person Learning at MCC | 8–9 hrs. per Week | 114 hrs. |
| Math Classroom Theory | In-Person Learning at MCC | 2–3 hrs. per Week Until Completion | 24 hrs. max. |
| Total | 426 hrs. |
Program Cost
Tuition, Books, Supplies & PPE: $16,000*
*Currently this program is being fully funded through support from the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (“SENEDIA”), who is leading an initiative to strengthen the workforce of the submarine supply chain.
This program is WIOA and SNAP E&T eligible.
Schedule
WDC Accelerated Welding Program
Course Number: TBA
Class Location: MCC
Class Dates: Late January to April, 2025
Orientation Meeting: TBA
Partners
MCC is proud to partner with the following organizations and employers:
SENEDIA
2 Corporate Place
Middletown, RI 02842
Granite State Manufacturing
124 Joliette Street
Manchester, NH 03102
Workforce Training
WDC Courses for Training,
Licensing or Certification
How To Apply
For inquiries about this program please contact Chuck Neild.
WDC Registration
Learn more by attending an Information Session, held on-campus in the MCC Welding lab!
Please direct all questions and paperwork to Chuck Neild.
