The Butte College Welding Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Department serves our community by providing diverse experiential learning opportunities in a progressive curriculum, using advanced technology, industry cooperation, and alumni support to prepare students for productive futures in the Welding Industry.
This program has six full-time and five part time instructors. The Welding Technology program operates daily classes from 7:30 am - 5pm and currently Saturday classes from 7am - 2:00pm. The Welding Technology Department has made scheduling changes to increase student success. Certificated prerequisite courses are currently offered four nights per week (Monday�Thursday) from 5 - 10pm and two days per week (Tuesday/Thursday) from 12 - 5pm during the Fall semesters. The Spring semester has four such courses offered four nights per week and the summer session offers two of these courses on a shortened schedule. The full time program is impacted, with 160 on a list for Fall 2019. Only 45-50 will be accepted leaving students on a waitlist. This list will continue to grow and change over the spring 2019 semester. An eight week certificated capstone program is offered after completion of the Welding Technology program. This Petro-chemical and natural gas pipeline welding capstone program is offered during the summer session. Students who have completed the full time program will have the opportunity to obtain a high paying career with PG&E, subcontractors of PG&E, and other large petro-chemical companies. This program operates daily Monday through Friday from 7am � 5pm. All full-time instructors and part-time instructors are active in the Sacramento Valley Section of the American Welding Society. The program works continually with local and state industry partners to maintain currency in equipment, market trends, required job skills, and workforce requirements. Currently a new state of the art welding facility is being constructed on campus that is scheduled to be completed sometime during the fall of 2019. This new facility will increase the number of full time welding students from 60 to 92. In addition to the increased number of full time program students there will be the capacity to double the number of prerequisite courses that are offered. The increase in the number of students will not be overnight, but will occur over a few semesters as it will take a little while to build up enough instructors (both full time and part time) to properly staff the increased number of courses. It has been difficult to find a pool of qualified and available part-time individuals who can work during the hours of 7:30 am � 5:30 pm to help absorb the yearly overload on current faculty members (with the current PT staff group shrinking due to various reasons). With the expansion, addition of prerequisite courses that have been added over the past few years, and the PG&E partnership it has become even more essential to hire full time staff. By the end of the 2017-2018 academic year Welding had lost two full time positions (one to a resignation, and the other was hired as the Director of Industrial Technology. Through grants and district funding, welding was fortunate to receive two positions for the 2018-2019 school year. One of the positions was filled, the other was determined to be a �failed search�. As the Dept. looks to the future the hiring of additional full time instructors will be essential to make the expansion of this program successful. Recruitment is an important part of our program's ability to provide a continuing flow of ready professionals to the workforce. One major recruitment event that the department does annually is Arc Exposure that had 224 participants (51 high school teachers and 185 high school students) in attendance for the 2019 Arc Exposure event. Another major recruitment event that the department does annually is the Chico State/Butte College FFA field day that had 82 contestants in attendance for the 2018 field day. These events are sponsored by industry vendors and local industry businesses. Last spring, staff attended a Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge event for welding in Sacramento, where 150 Boy Scouts participated in the event and earned their Welding Merit Badge. We will also be attending the event again this year at the end of February. In addition to Arc Exposure, and the FFA field day the Welding Technology Department participates in a number of other recruitment activities. Over the course of the year the department participates in multiple middle school and High School Career Day located in Butte, Glenn, and Tehama County. The Welding Department also gives numerous tours of the welding facility to various junior high and high schools located throughout Northern California. Upon request the Department consistently visits local high school welding programs to speak with prospective students about the opportunities within the welding profession, and the training opportunities that are available at Butte College. The department also regularly participates in many other campus wide and or professional events throughout the year. The department also assists on several campus wide projects and plays a critical role in fabricating small and large scale projects on campus. We work closely with other departments on campus to provide support and collaboration throughout the campus community.
Replacement of failing power sources
The Welding Department was able to replace four welding sources that were nearing the end of thier life cycle. Some of the machines had become more problematic, and welding results had become more inconsistant. The replacement of these machines has provided a significantly better training experience for students.
Power Sources for New Building
The new welding building is currently under construction. Some of these power sources have been purchased, and few others will be purchased shortly. These power sources will be used for the set up of the new facility when it's complete. This was funded with one time instructional block grant funding.
Large plate and steel rack
A large plate rack will provide efficient storage of base material used throughout the year. The storage of particularly sheet metal and plate can be extremely overwhelming. A large rack like what has been proposed could potentially reduce the existing footprint of stored sheet metal by up to 1/3. The purchase is currently being evaluated and quotes are in the works for it. This will be purchased and received before June 30, 2019.
Purchase of welding power sources for new facility
These power sources will be used for the set up of the new facility when it's complete. Some of these power sources have been already put into service in the existing facilty where space was available. This equipment was funded with strong workforce funding.
Lab tech
This position was funded through Perkins for the Spring of 2018. Unfortunately the job description has yet to be approved by either human resources and or the union. The department is currently working with HR to bring someone on as a "special projects" person with this funding untill June. This individual would be responsible to help with the set up for the new facility, as there are a number of items that will need to be constructed in house before we can fully use the new facility to its potential.
Welding and Advanced Manufacturing equipment
This equipment will be used within the new welding and advanced manufacturing lab. Where space is available some of this equipment has already been put into service in the existing welding facility. This equipment was purchased with strong workforce funds.
Findings:
When looking back at brief reflections submitted from the Spring of 2018 semester there were some common themes that came up. Resources seem to be a reoccurring theme. In a number of classes there seems to be a bottleneck situation that is somewhat limiting the advancement of our students within these courses. The instructors all agreed that increasing the number of machines capable of performing certain welding or cutting processes would help improve student success. In some courses the type of current and welding processes the machines can perform was an obstacle when trying to get every student through the hands on laboratory assessments. Increasing the number of work stations capable of welding aluminum with the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding process, and increasing the number of Fluxed Cored Arc Welding Stations without reducing the number of other Gas Metal Arc Welding Stations will be critical to student success within the Welding Program. The shortage of engine driven equipment created backlogs in multiple course assessments (both for the welding and air carbon arc cutting). Due to the shortage of equipment within these courses the progression of students advancing through these critical assessments was slowed. In some cases due to equipment shortages instructors had to lower the acceptance criteria for the welds performed. Had the acceptance criteria been kept really high, some students would take so long to master the skill that other students waiting to use the equipment would not have the adequate opportunity to work with the machine. Other concerns that came up was the lack of carbon steel filler material and base material in certain classes. This shortage limits the complexity, difficulty and quantity of assignments that can be given. In certain courses where the base material is really thick (1” or over) it becomes difficult to get material donations due to fact that few manufactures in this area are using this thick of material. With current funding it is cost prohibitive to purchase all of the thick carbon steel plate that the program requires. Another topic that came up in conversation is the need for more welding inspection tools in some courses. These tools are used by welding inspectors to deem a weld acceptable or reject able. Students must be not only able to use these tools correctly, but also apply the use of these tools to assess not only their own welds, but the welds of others. This skill will help students to develop the essential skill of good visual weld inspection. This critical skill is essential in all areas of the industry, and fundamental regardless of the welding process being used.
Strategies
Increasing the number of work stations with multiple welding process capability is the most important strategy in order to help improve the number of students who successfully master our course level and program level learning outcomes. This is a key strategy as the program transitions into the new welding facility set to be complete in the fall of 2019.
Increasing the number of engine driven welders will allow for an increased number of students able to complete the various field welding simulations that the program currently has students perform. The Welding Department currently needs additional wire feeders for the welding booths, this purchase would increase the number of students who can successfully master flux cored arc welding processes.
Purchasing of welding inspection tools, and increasing the number of assessments where they are used will help students master the use of these tools.
The department predicts the needed increase in carbon steel base material and filler material to provide for the ability to increase the number of assessments students can perform. This will help guarantee the mastery of these skills for welding program graduates.
The Validation Team recommends that the Welding Program:
1. Program Expansion - The department is currently in the process of having a new facility constructed that will allow for this expansion to take place.
2. Use current space efficiently - the department has been working hard over the past two years to purchase equipment that utilizes less space and in some cases eliminates more that one piece of equipment while improving the equipment that students are trained on to better match the industry.
3. Student to faculty ratio - The Ped cap for program classes was reduced to 20:1. This has seemed to help increase student success. The department will desparately need full time instructors in the coming years to staff increased number of courses within the new welding facility.
4. Facility expansion - This is currently in progress, and scheduled to be completed sometime in the fall of 2019.
5. 2+2 articulation - Staff are very involved with this process and feel that this is a great way for students to earn credit prior to leaving high school and be eligible to enter the welding program upon graduation. This also helps with the facility and class impaction on prerequisite courses to some degree. The department continues to offer prerequisite courses in the summer session allowing students to make a smooth transition from the high school level into the full time welding program.
6. Cohort courses that Welding 20 and 21 students can take - the department is still looking at completing this list. It is being looked at to make sure that the courses that students are taking are ones that will also help them earn their degree along the way. This may be more possible in the new facility.
7. Waitlist process - We have reviewed this process and currently found that this one is the best process for us. The department finally has hired a new full time secretary who has significanly helped to clean up this list, and improve the communication between the department and prospective students.
8. Diverse student population - The department has been looking into several different ways to increase a diverse student population. We have been working with the AWS (American Welding Society) to help in this area, but it will take time to see if our efforts are paying off.
9. Technology in the classroom through Blackboard - As a department we have increased the use of Canvas in our courses. Students and staff feel that it is a great tool. Students receive instant feedback which helps them view results faster. Staff also utilizes this tool to post lecture notes and materials that students can have access to again if needed.
1. Procure funds to purchase industry utilized equipment to properly set up the new welding and manufacturing facility, and replace aging equipment.
2. Increase supply budget to meet current unfunded need and to support program expansion in the new facility.
3. Increase the number of faculty and support staff so the dept. is prepared for the new facility.
4. Increase the number of students the Dept. can serve in the year.
5. Maintain what the department is doing by institutionalizing supply funds.
6. Reduce the amount of time students wait in order to get admitted into the welding program.
Strategy 1 - Maintain existing program
Maintain existing program excellence by institutionalization of necessary funds.
Exponential growth of all welding classes and the increased laboratory time for the beginning and intermediate classes that are currently offered and the rising cost of welding supplies necessitate an increase in supply money. We have received adjustments in the supply budget for the past nine year's to adequately serve the program but these dollars need to be institutionalized because current funding sources may not continue to be viable. This relief over and above our previous regular budget ranged from $12,000 to $14,000 per year prior to the expansion. With the expansion, additional prerequisite courses added, changes to curriculum and meeting required industry standards; it is $30,000 that is needed (this additional funding was funded through strong workforce for this years operational budget cycle). With all the information that we have supplied the department is asking for funding to be institutionalized in the amount of $105,000. This dollar amount does not include what the department would need without the current base material donations that instructors are obtaining from industry partners. Without these donations the dollar amount would be $200,000.
With the new facility coming soon the department is also looking at doubling the size of the program. When this occurs the funding increase will need to double again in order to properly fund this program. The anticipated growth of the full time welding program will also increase the number of prerequisite courses (WLD 20 and WLD 21) that are offered. These prerequisite courses are also requirements for other growing programs such as Heavy Equipment and Automotive's new Diesel Technology program. The total dollar amount that will be needed is $400,000.00 dollars to operate both cohorts of students in the program.
Strategy 2 - Upgrade and improve existing equipment
Upgrade and improve existing equipment used for welding certifications.
Replacement of failing Welding Power Sources ($23,500)– The purchase of several multi-process welding power sources will allow students to more efficiently complete certification test per welding codes. Students will utilize the welding machines throughout the duration of the program for lab projects, test coupons, welding bend specimens per welding codes, and for welding certification tests. Students will also utilize this equipment throughout the welding program to complete required course and program assessments prior to becoming a certified welder. These machines provide the latest technology in welding machines that uses to maximize weld production, quality, and performance. Every year we have at least a few machines reach the end of their life span (quit working) and the department must be prepared by having replacement machines available.
Strategy 3 - New Welding Manufacturing Facility
Continue construction of a new Welding Manufacturing Facility that allows the room for expansion.
With the passing of Measure J a new Welding and Manufacturing facility is currently under construction. The facility will allow for the expanding of welding program courses and increase the number of students served. A larger facility will also enable the program to offer more prerequisite welding courses. These prerequisite courses can be difficult to get enrolled in and are required for the welding program and other programs like heavy equipment. The additional space will also allow for an advanced manufacturing pathway to be offered.
Strategy 4 - Upgrade Equipment - Camera
Purchase Camera to make videos of welding demonstrations.
This is a critical tool to help support student learning and success in our courses. Welding demonstration videos can be made to allow all students the ability to easily see the demonstration up close. These videos can be posted on canvas so that students can view them at any time during the semester.
Strategy 5 - Professional Devlelopment
Professional Development for 7 instructors to attend advanced welding and advanced manufacturing training.
Industry professionals can provide current, and relevant industrial training to instructors. As the equipment and technology advances instructors need to have the opportunity for access to this critical training. This information learned can be brought back to the program curriculum in an effort help keep program instruction on the cutting edge of technology. The remaining welding faculty would benifit from recieving NCCER training as well
Strategy 6 - Department Chair
Department Chair having 75% release time.
The future increase of students in the welding program will create two separate cohorts of students. It would benefit both students and welding faculty to have a chair that can support both cohorts. This position is vital to help manage the purchasing of supplies, events, recruitment, student outreach, industry outreach, etc. This position could also work very closely to help coordinate with all pre-requisite, and capstone course instructors to help improve student success throughout the welding program. The current chair is responsible for not only Welding but Advanced Manufacturing as well. Over the next couple years there will be a significant increase in non-tenured faculty, part time faculty as well as the planning and adjustment into a new facility to try and coordinate. That is why the department feels that the release time for this position needs to be increased to 75%.
Due to the increase in the number of open seats in the new Welding Facility, an acceleration in student outreach is necessary in aiding enrollment. Along with outreach to Industry personnel outside of the area to ensure job placement also. The current chair position also has the task of developing and planning the new college programs such as Advanced Manufacturing.
Strategy 7 - Welding Technology Instructors
Hiring seven full time instructors to address the program expansion.
Recently the program has had one instructor move to a director position, and another resign (effective June 2018). Last year the department was awarded two new hire positions to backfill the positions lost, unfortunately one of the positions ended up being a "failed search". The increased size of the new welding facility will allow the department to more quickly serve students wanting to enter the welding program. There will be an increase in the number of courses available. The increased courses will necessitate the hiring of up to 7 new full time instructors. the yearly load for the departmen is anticipated to eventually rise to 1755% load (or more depending how courses are scheduled) with 1454% of that load falling in the fall and spring semesters. The availability of skilled part time instructors who can work during the hours between 7 A.M. -5 P.M. is extremely limited. Finding part time instructors willing to teach courses between 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. has also been a challenge for the Department. In order to get the best pool of applicants available the Department would like to request that these be tenure track positions.
Strategy 8 - Welding Lab Tech
Hire additional lab tech to make sure that welding equipment is fully operational for students, help lab instructor setup equipment for demonstrations, help students when needed, and help with daily operations of the welding and manufacturing department.
The construction of a new welding facility (and the doubling of size) will increase the amount of equipment being used. The workload for repairing and maintaining this equipment will significantly increase as more course sections are added, and students are served. The proposed location for the new welding facility is much further away from service techs when equipment issues arise. A full time Tech assigned to welding would help ensure equipment was being properly maintained and repaired in a timely fashion.
1. Provides direct assistance to instructors and new, continuing or prospective students.
2. Performs general clerical duties as necessary, including but not limited to typing, copying, collating, filing class materials; records test grades and other documents; answers telephone, etc.
3. Supervises the student labor force in the instructional area. Supervisory duties include assigning and reviewing work, instructing, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, selecting new employees and recommending employee disciplinary action. Ensures compliance with all applicable safety rules and precautions.
4. Installs, maintains and upgrades computer systems and software in the instructional area.
5. Represents Butte College to the public by setting up displays at local fairs and farm shows, conducting facility tours, hosting professional functions, etc.
6. Remains available by radio at all times to respond to emergency and hazardous situations.
7. Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for technical assistance from students, staff and the general public.
8. Supports instruction in the assigned areas by preparing lab materials and equipment; prepares for and cleans up after laboratory sessions; performs laboratory functions.
9. Organizes, maintains and stocks all inventory, including materials, supplies and equipment; researches prices and vendors for various materials, supplies and equipment.
10. Organizes and distributes supplies and materials to students; replenishes supplies and materials and maintains all forms, manuals and handouts.
11. Dependent upon assignment, understands the operating principles of discipline specific equipment; maintains and performs minor repairs on discipline specific equipment including, but not limited to, CNC equipment, press brakes, drill press, shears, saw, filtration systems, air compressors, welders, oxy-fuel cutting and welding equipment, shielding and cutting gas lines and regulators, powder coating system, sand blasters, and hand and power tools.
12. Organizes and reorganizes assigned lab space to maximize space and safety as needed; maintains and organizes facilities and storage spaces.
13. Maintains accurate records, manually and on a computer; creates databases for recordkeeping purposes and to run accurate reports; maintains bulletin boards with required information, including safety guidelines; adheres to all departmental policies and procedures to ensure maintenance, lab hours and supplies are sufficient to meet student and instructor demands.
14. May pick up and deliver supplies and parts to off-campus locations.
15. Attends staff meetings; may serve on a variety of District committees as requested.
16. Advises and assists in redesigning and integrating media technologies into traditional course content and in translating new or existing course content into distributable formats.
17. Provides technical assistance to faculty and staff in the use and maintenance of instructional web pages, multimedia modules, video instructional packages, and other instructional media. Maintains department web page and community access schedule.
18. Provides related support services to include locating required instructional resources, troubleshoots and resolves related technology and system access problems, delivers media equipment, sets up WebCT accounts, and other related distance education support as needed.
19. Supports Health Occupations instructional laboratories by preparing lab materials and equipment. Prepares for and cleans up after laboratory sessions and may set up mechanical and electrical medical apparatus.
20. Maintains laboratory environment and storage areas in a safe, clean and orderly condition; ensures the safe and proper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials; follows federal, state and District requirements; maintains instructional areas and lab(s) in a safe, clean and orderly manner.
21. Maintains and updates technical skills in order to design, create and modify computer methods to include, but not limited to, word processing, design and layout for publications, CAD programs, database development and maintenance and creating and maintaining charts and spreadsheets.
22. Utilizes a variety of computer software to provide assistance with clerical functions in support of the Welding Technology programs. Functions may include, but are not limited to, researching, compiling, recording and retrieving data; tracking and maintaining program participant records and trainings and verifying data for accuracy and completeness, determining compliance with established policies and procedures, etc.
23. Attends staff meetings; may serve on a variety of District committees as requested.
24. May perform other duties as assigned.
Strategy 9 - Power sources for new welding facility
Purchase welding power sources for new facility
There is a number of outdated power sources in our current facilty. These welders do not even have the capability to run off of the 460V power supplied in the new facility, so it is not practical to bring them over to the new shop. The department will also be adding 34 additional welding booths that will need to be properly outfitted with a AC/DC GTAW welder, and a Multi-process welder. These power sources are much more energy efficient than the outdated power sources currently being used.
Strategy 10 - Welding and Advanced Manufacturing equipment
Completely outfit the new Welding and Advanced Manufacturing facility with state of the art equipment.
The new facility will have a whole section dedicated to fabrication and advanced manufacturing equipment. A good portion of the industrial equipment the Welding department is currently using was manufactured over forty years ago. The tolerances this equipment is capable of makes teaching modern fabrication skills very difficult. This equipment needs to be updated to the CNC equipment that is found in industry. Students need to have the opportunity to learn proper set up and operation of the equipment that is currently being used in industry.
Strategy 11 - Plate/sheet rack
Purchase a large plate and steel rack
Currently plate and sheet metal are scattered out throughout the welding shop. The department would like to purchase a large sheet and plate rack to centralize where the material is at. This purchase will help to maximize the storage efficiency within the new facility. The department is currently evaluating the purchase of one rack, but a second is will be desperately needed to efficenelty store sheet metal within the facility. Students and instructors currently lose a significant amount of time digging through buried stacks of sheet metal trying to get to the correct size and thickness of sheet for the project. In the new facility both Welding and Advanced Manufacturing will be using a significant amount of sheet metal and plate, so maximizing of storage is critical.
Strategy 12 - Roll out wheel
Purchasing two Roll out wheels to aid in student development in the area of prefabrication.
This would be a critical tool to help support student learning and skill development. These positioners can be used throughout the year to model current practices being used in industry. This would allow the student to practice prefabricating parts and assemblies that are common in the field. This would include leveling premade fittings, lining up fittings to flanges, and welding in the manual 1G-Rolled position. They will also allow us to add/change projects to create a more well-rounded student.
Strategy 13 - Welding Simulator
purchase welding simulator for student training
A welding simulator would allow students to practice welding techniques on multiple welding processes without the use of consumables. Students could develop muscle memory and skill without consuming expensive base material and filler material. A simulator could also be extremely useful when staff members attend various career workshops as welding can be simulated without the risk of burning junior high and high school students who are seeking potential career options for themselves.
Strategy 14 - Return current support staff to 100%
Return both of the Ag mechanics to a 40 hour a week full time position to help support Welding Agriculture, and Automotive.
Around ten years ago a large portion of the support staff (secretaries, mechanics, lab techs etc.) were reduced to less than full time employees due to budget cuts. A majority of these positions have been returned to full time status, but the Ag mechanics have not. Last year one of the Ag Mechanics retired, and that position has yet to be replaced. This has left the remaining two with the responsibility of covering Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, and Welding. All of these programs are expanding, and other programs such as HVAC, Construction, and Advanced Manufacturing are being added. This has resulted in an incredible amount of work for these employees, and it is not realistic for them to adequately support these programs without a full time schedule.
Strategy 15 - Hire Technician or Mechanic for Industrial Technology Area
Hire a mechanic or additional technician to replace the retirement of an Ag Mechanic in the spring of 2018
Last year one of the Ag Mechanics retired, and that position has yet to be replaced. This has left the remaining two with the responsibility of covering Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, and Welding. All of these programs are expanding, and other programs such as HVAC, Construction, and Advanced Manufacturing are being added. This has resulted in an incredible amount of work for the remaining employees. The remaining mechanics have worked very hard to adequately support the programs they support, but there are not enough hours in the day to keep the aging equipment in these programs up and going without additional support.
Strategy 16 - Administrative Secretary
Hire a full time administrative secretary for Welding and Advanced Manufacturing
There are numerous CTE programs that are expanding, and new ones on the horizon. Currently our Department secretary does not have enough bandwidth to cover the existing programs in our area. New programs are currently being added (Construction, HVAC, Advanced Manufacturing). These programs will take additional support especially in the beginning. The welding program will be expanding numbers. This individual is critical in managing the waitlist for welding (this will need to be done now twice a year) as well as assisting with recruitment events such as ARC EXPOSURE.
Strategy 17 - Rota-tor
Purchase a rotator for department forklift
Currently the welding program has to dump scrap bins in an unsafe method. We dump our bins into the large scrap bins, then climb into the bin, hook a chain to the box, and lift out the emptied bin. This equipment attachment allows the forks of the forklift to rotate 360 degrees allowing scrap bins to be dumped by one person in a quick and safe fashion. The Welding program will be expanding numbers, and with that there will be an increase in the number of bins that need to be dumped. We will be increasing from 12 bins to approximately 23 in the near future.
Strategy 18 - SolidWorks software
Purchasing of stand-alone Solidworks software that is capable of being used both on campus and off campus
As the Welding Technology program begins to get more automated it will require a more current version of Solidworks. Virtually all of the industry that is currently utilizing CNC equipment arre using software such as Solidworks or a comparable program to design, and engineer their products. This software is essential in order to push the program to the next level.
Strategy 19 - Computer hardware upgrade
Purchase computers capable of running current CAD and 3D-modeling software
This is currently a critical issue in the department because of the high demands of the programs being used the computers are crashing and overheating leading to weeks without computers available. Computers with the minimum requirements would allow the department to be more productive, create more up to date assignments/projects, and allow the students to use the current software that is being used in industry.
Purchasing of computers that meet the minimum requirements of most CAD and 3D modeling programs such as Solidworks. As the welding industry becomes more automated most parts, projects, and products are developed in a CAD drafting program or 3D modeling program. We as a department are currently using such programs but the hardware that we have is not capable of keeping up with the software that we are using. The current computers model that we have is a Dell Latitude E7450 running an Intel Core i5 – 5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz with 8 GB of Installed memory (RAM). The minimum requirements for Running a 3d modeling program like Solidworks 2019 is a CPU capable of 3.30GHz, 16GB of RAM, 24GB recommended, a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processing unit with 2 GB minimum memory, 4GB recommended, it is also recommended that this runs off of a solid state drive (SSD) versus a standard hard drive.
There are none at this time.
Current revenue streams come from district operational welding budget, donations, strong workforce, and Perkins funding. The Department has been the reciepient of significant strong workforce funds, but over the last year has not recieved funding from either CCPT, or Prop 39. Both of these funding sources significantly helped the program in the past. The existing funds will not be adequate to properly fund the expansion of this program. In addition to the expansion the program has added a significant amount of techical training that involves higher cost base materials and alloys to the existing curricullum. Rising cost of base materials, filler materials, and other welding consumables will continue to be a hurdle for the welding program in the future.
The department also relies heavily upon donations from our industry partners and community members.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Welding Technology | Operating Expenses | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 51000/5430 | $0.00 | $400,000.00 |
| Maintain existing program excellence by institutionalization of necessary funds. | Exponential growth of all welding classes and the increased laboratory time for the beginning and intermediate classes that are currently offered and the rising cost of welding supplies necessitate an increase in supply money. We have received adjustments in the supply budget for the past nine year's to adequately serve the program but these dollars need to be institutionalized because current funding sources may not continue to be viable. This relief over and above our previous regular budget ranged from $12,000 to $14,000 per year prior to the expansion. With the expansion, additional prerequisite courses added, changes to curriculum and meeting required industry standards; it is $30,000 that is needed (this additional funding was funded through strong workforce for this years operational budget cycle). With all the information that we have supplied the department is asking for funding to be institutionalized in the amount of $105,000. This dollar amount does not include what the department would need without the current base material donations that instructors are obtaining from industry partners. Without these donations the dollar amount would be $200,000. With the new facility coming soon the department is also looking at doubling the size of the program. The anticipated growth of the full time welding program will also increase the number of prerequisite courses (WLD 20 and WLD 21) that are offered. These prerequisite courses are also requirements for other growing programs such as Heavy Equipment and Automotive's new Diesel Technology program When this occurs the funding increase will need to double again in order to properly fund this program. The total dollar amount that will be needed is $400,000.00 dollars to operate both cohorts of students in the program. |
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| 2 | Welding | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $980,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Purchase power sources for new welding facility | There is a number of outdated power sources in our current facility. These welders do not even have the capability to run off of the 460V power supplied in the new facility, so it is not practical to bring them over to the new shop. The department will also be adding 34 additional welding booths that will need to be properly outfitted with a AC/DC GTAW welder, and a Multi-process welder. These power sources are much more energy efficient than the outdated power sources currently being used. |
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| 3 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $23,500.00 | $0.00 |
| Upgrade and improve existing equipment used for welding certifications. | Replacement of failing Welding Power Sources ($23,500)� The purchase of several multi-process welding power sources will allow students to more efficiently complete certification test per welding codes. Students will utilize the welding machines throughout the duration of the program for lab projects, test coupons, welding bend specimens per welding codes, and for welding certification tests. Students will also utilize this equipment throughout the welding program to complete required course and program assessments prior to becoming a certified welder. These machines provide the latest technology in welding machines that uses to maximize weld production, quality, and performance. Every year we have at least a few machines reach the end of their life span (quit working) and the department must be prepared by having replacement machines available |
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| 4 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $75,000.00 |
| Administrative Secretary | There are numerous CTE programs that are expanding, and new ones on the horizon. Currently our Dept. secretary does not have enough bandwidth to cover the existing programs in our area. New programs are currently being added (Construction, HVAC, Advanced Manufacturing). These programs will take additional support especially in the beginning. The welding program will be expanding numbers. This individual is critical in managing the waitlist for welding (this will need to be done now twice a year) as well as assisting with recruitment events such as ARC EXPOSURE. |
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| 5 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $763,000.00 |
| Hiring seven full time instructors to address the program expansion. | Recently the program has had one instructor move to a director position, and another resign (effective June 2018). Last year the department was awarded two new hire positions to backfill the positions lost, unfortunately one of the positions ended up being a "failed search". The increased size of the new welding facility will allow the department to more quickly serve students wanting to enter the welding program. There will be an increase in the number of courses available. The increased courses will necessitate the hiring of up to 7 new full time instructors. the yearly load for the department is anticipated to eventually rise to 1755% load (or more depending how courses are scheduled) with 1454% of that load falling in the fall and spring semesters. The availability of skilled part time instructors who can work during the hours between 7 A.M. -5 P.M. is extremely limited. Finding part time instructors willing to teach courses between 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. has also been a challenge for the Department. In order to get the best pool of applicants available the Department would like to request that these be tenure track positions. |
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| 6 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $35,000.00 |
| Return both of the Ag mechanics to a 40 hour a week full time position to help support Welding Agriculture, and Automotive. | Around ten years ago a large portion of the support staff (secretaries, mechanics, lab techs etc.) were reduced to less than full time employees due to budget cuts. A majority of these positions have been returned to full time status, but the Ag mechanics have not. Last year one of the Ag Mechanics retired, and that position has yet to be replaced. This has left the remaining two with the responsibility of covering Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, and Welding. All of these programs are expanding, and other programs such as HVAC, Construction, and Advanced Manufacturing are being added. This has resulted in an incredible amount of work for these employees, and it is not realistic for them to adequately support these programs without a full time schedule. |
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| 7 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $85,000.00 |
| Hire a mechanic or additional technician to replace the retirement of an Ag Mechanic in the spring of 2018 | Last year one of the Ag Mechanics retired, and that position has yet to be replaced. This has left the remaining two with the responsibility of covering Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, and Welding. All of these programs are expanding, and other programs such as HVAC, Construction, and Advanced Manufacturing are being added. This has resulted in an incredible amount of work for the remaining employees. The remaining mechanics have worked very hard to adequately support the programs they support, but there are not enough hours in the day to keep the aging equipment in these programs up and going without additional support. |
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| 8 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $40,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Purchase a additional large plate and steel rack | Currently plate and sheet metal are scattered out throughout the welding shop. The department would like to purchase a large sheet and plate rack to centralize where the material is at. This purchase will help to maximize the storage efficiency within our current facility and the new facility. Students and instructors currently lose a significant amount of time digging through buried stacks of sheet metal trying to get to the correct size and thickness of sheet for the project. In the new facility both Welding and Advanced Manufacturing will be using a significant amount of sheet metal and plate, so maximizing of storage is critical. |
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| 9 | Welding Technology | Equipment | $6,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Forklift Rotator | Currently the welding program has to dump scrap bins in an unsafe method. We dump our bins into the large scrap bins, then climb into the bin, hook a chain to the box, and lift out the emptied bin. This equipment attachment allows the forks of the forklift to rotate 360 degrees allowing scrap bins to be dumped by one person in a quick and safe fashion. The Welding program will be expanding numbers, and with that there will be an increase in the number of bins that need to be dumped. We will be increasing from 12 bins to approximately 23 in the near future. |
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| 10 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $15,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Professional Development for 7 instructors to attend advanced welding and advanced manufacturing training | Industry professionals can provide current, and relevant industrial training to instructors. As the equipment and technology advances instructors need to have the opportunity for access to this critical training. It would be ideal if instructors could attend FAB Tech trade show, and participate in the various training seminars available. The information learned can be brought back to the program curriculum in an effort help keep program instruction on the cutting edge of technology. There are additional instructors within the program that could benefit from NCCER training. |
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| 11 | Welding | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $3,170,500.00 | $0.00 |
| Welding and Advanced Manufacturing equipment | The new facility will have a whole section dedicated to fabrication and advanced manufacturing equipment. A good portion of the industrial equipment the Welding department is currently using was manufactured over forty years ago. The tolerances this equipment is capable of makes teaching modern fabrication skills very difficult. This equipment needs to be updated to the CNC equipment that is found in industry. Students need to have the opportunity to learn proper set up and operation of the equipment that is currently being used in industry. |
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| 12 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $90,000.00 |
| Full time lab tech assigned to the department to make sure that welding equipment is fully operational for students, help lab instructor setup equipment for demonstrations, help students when needed, and help with daily operations of the welding and manufacturing department. | Hire additional lab tech to make sure that welding equipment is fully operational for students, help lab instructor setup equipment for demonstrations, help students when needed, and help with daily operations of the welding and manufacturing department. Currently this is prioritized lower because one was funded last year. Next year this will be a much higher priority as this position will be vital when the department has moved into the new facility. 1. Provides direct assistance to instructors and new, continuing or prospective students. 2. Performs general clerical duties as necessary, including but not limited to typing, copying, collating, filing class materials; records test grades and other documents; answers telephone, etc. 3. Supervises the student labor force in the instructional area. Supervisory duties include assigning and reviewing work, instructing, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, selecting new employees and recommending employee disciplinary action. Ensures compliance with all applicable safety rules and precautions. 4. Installs, maintains and upgrades computer systems and software in the instructional area. 5. Represents Butte College to the public by setting up displays at local fairs and farm shows, conducting facility tours, hosting professional functions, etc. 6. Remains available by radio at all times to respond to emergency and hazardous situations. 7. Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for technical assistance from students, staff and the general public. 8. Supports instruction in the assigned areas by preparing lab materials and equipment; prepares for and cleans up after laboratory sessions; performs laboratory functions. 9. Organizes, maintains and stocks all inventory, including materials, supplies and equipment; researches prices and vendors for various materials, supplies and equipment. 10. Organizes and distributes supplies and materials to students; replenishes supplies and materials and maintains all forms, manuals and handouts. 11. Dependent upon assignment, understands the operating principles of discipline specific equipment; maintains and performs minor repairs on discipline specific equipment including, but not limited to, CNC equipment, press brakes, drill press, shears, saw, filtration systems, air compressors, welders, oxy-fuel cutting and welding equipment, shielding and cutting gas lines and regulators, powder coating system, sand blasters, and hand and power tools. 12. Organizes and reorganizes assigned lab space to maximize space and safety as needed; maintains and organizes facilities and storage spaces. 13. Maintains accurate records, manually and on a computer; creates databases for recordkeeping purposes and to run accurate reports; maintains bulletin boards with required information, including safety guidelines; adheres to all departmental policies and procedures to ensure maintenance, lab hours and supplies are sufficient to meet student and instructor demands. 14. May pick up and deliver supplies and parts to off-campus locations. 15. Attends staff meetings; may serve on a variety of District committees as requested. 16. Advises and assists in redesigning and integrating media technologies into traditional course content and in translating new or existing course content into distributable formats. 17. Provides technical assistance to faculty and staff in the use and maintenance of instructional web pages, multimedia modules, video instructional packages, and other instructional media. Maintains department web page and community access schedule. 18. Provides related support services to include locating required instructional resources, troubleshoots and resolves related technology and system access problems, delivers media equipment, sets up WebCT accounts, and other related distance education support as needed. 19. Supports Health Occupations instructional labor |
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| 13 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $5,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Purchase Solidworks software | As the Welding Technology program begins to get more automated it will require a more current version of Solidworks. Virtually all of the industry that is currently utilizing CNC equipment will be using software such as Solidworks or a comparable program to design, and engineer their products. This software is essential in order to push the program to the next level. |
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| 14 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $18,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Computer hardware upgrade | Purchasing of computers that meet the minimum requirements of most CAD and 3D modeling programs such as Solidworks. As the welding industry becomes more automated most parts, projects, and products are developed in a CAD drafting program or 3D modeling program. We as a department are currently using such programs but the hardware that we have is not capable of keeping up with the software that we are using. The current computers model that we have is a Dell Latitude E7450 running an Intel Core i5 � 5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz with 8 GB of Installed memory (RAM). The minimum requirements for Running a 3d modeling program like Solidworks 2019 is a CPU capable of 3.30GHz, 16GB of RAM, 24GB recommended, a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processing unit with 2 GB minimum memory, 4GB recommended, it is also recommended that this runs off of a solid state drive (SSD) versus a standard hard drive. |
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| 15 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56410 | $2,000.00 | $0.00 |
| roll out wheel | This would be a critical tool to help support student learning and skill development. These positioners can be used throughout the year to model current practices being used in industry. This would allow the student to practice prefabricating parts and assemblies that are common in the field. This would include leveling premade fittings, lining up fittings to flanges, and welding in the manual 1G-Rolled position. They will also allow us to add/change projects to create a more well-rounded student |
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| 16 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $25,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Welding Simulator | A welding simulator would allow students to practice welding techniques on multiple welding processes without the use of consumables. Students could develop muscle memory and skill without consuming expensive base material and filler material. A simulator could also be extremely useful when staff members attend various career workshops as welding can be simulated without the risk of burning junior high and high school students who are seeking potential career options for themselves. |
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| 17 | Welding Technology | Equipment | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56610 | $23,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Purchasing of Camera to make videos of welding demonstrations that students could review and watch at a later date. We will also need editing software for the videos that will be made. | This is a critical tool to help support student learning and success in our courses. Welding demonstration videos can be made to allow all students the ability to easily see the demonstration up close. These videos can be posted on canvas so that students can view them at any time during the semester. |
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| 18 | Welding Technology | Personnel | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 5200 | $0.00 | $80,000.00 |
| Department Chair having 75% release time. | The future increase of students in the welding program will create two separate cohorts of students. It would benefit both students and welding faculty to have a chair that can support both cohorts. This position is vital to help manage the purchasing of supplies, events, recruitment, student outreach, industry outreach, etc. This position could also work very closely to help coordinate with all pre-requisite, and capstone course instructors to help improve student success throughout the welding program. The current chair is responsible for not only Welding but Advanced Manufacturing as well. Over the next couple years there will be a significant increase in non-tenured faculty, part time faculty as well as the planning and adjustment into a new facility to try and coordinate. That is why the department feels that the release time for this position needs to be increased to 75%. Due to the increase in the number of open seats in the new Welding Facility, an acceleration in student outreach is necessary in aiding enrollment. Along with outreach to Industry personnel outside of the area to ensure job placement also. The current chair position also has the task of developing and planning the new college programs such as Advanced Manufacturing. |
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| 19 | Welding Technology | Facilities | 11.000.515.1.095650 | 56000 | $23,000,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Build a new Welding Manufacturing Facility that allows the room for expansion. | With the passing of Measure J a new Welding and Manufacturing facility is currently under construction. The facility will allow for the expanding of welding program courses and increase the number of students served. A larger facility will also enable the program to offer more prerequisite welding courses. These prerequisite courses can be difficult to get enrolled in and are required for the welding program and other programs like heavy equipment. The additional space will also allow for an advanced manufacturing pathway to be offered |
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