To the average person, there may not appear
to be much difference between welding and
metal fabrication.
At first glance, fabrication looks just like
welding � using a torch and wearing a mask
to weld metal. Both also involve the use of
metallurgical concepts and robotic equipment.
However, while welding focuses on gas metal,
gas tungsten and shielded metal arc welds,
metal fabrication employs several more
practices. In fabrication, workers use press
brake machines for forming; laser, water-jet
and saw machines for cutting; shear machines
for plate and sheet cutting; lathe machines
for turning; and milling machines for machin-
ing. They also use computer-aided drafting
software and computer numerical control
machines, design and build fixtures, and
perform plasma arc metal cutting operations.
"Fabrication means many different things to
the companies in our district, ranging from
operating one specific type of machine, to
building a complete project using a variety
of machines and tools," said Larry Clark,
Moraine Park instructor.
And those fabrication skills are in demand
among area employers. With the increased
use of advanced technology comes the need
to hire skilled employees. Companies can
no longer allocate precious resources into
providing on-the-job training. Among the
26 companies that responded to a needs-
assessment survey sent out by Moraine Park
TechnicalCollege,88.5percentreporteddiffi-
culty in finding qualified fabricators. Not only
is there a need for fabricators who are skilled
with a variety of methods and machines and
knowledgeable of Lean practices, there is
also a need for "soft skills" such as problem
solving and teamwork.
In light of this, Moraine Park will offer a
new Metal Fabrication technical diploma
at the Fond du Lac campus beginning in
January 2010. Clark, who has been a
Welding program instructor, will lead
the Metal Fabrication instruction team.
The two-semester program will cover the
hands-on fabrication skills that are used
in today's industries, and that can lead to
Fabricators and Manufacturers Association
International Precision Sheet Metal certifica-
tion. Students learn to read technical prints
and perform automated cutting, forming and
welding to build metal products from start
to finish. Critical in today's manufacturing
industry are Lean practices, math and com-
munication skills, which are included in the
program. Soft skills such as communication,
problem solving, puzzle-working, attention to
detail and working individually or as part of a
team are also addressed in the curriculum.
"The Moraine Park district is in the center of
the country's strongest fabrication centers,
and our employers have a need for employees
who can problem solve on their feet as they
form, cut and weld metal into our future prod-
ucts," said Marcia Arndt, Moraine Park dean
of manufacturing technology. "The new fabri-
cation program is geared to those who want
to work with their hands and want to learn the
technology involved with these processes. The
competitive edge of our region is dependent
on a well-trained workforce capable of using
technology in creating new products."
When the new program was being developed
in 2008, one of the companies approached
by the Moraine Park team was Medalist
Laserfab Inc. in Oshkosh, an ISO-certified
specialty metal fabricator with state-of-the-
art equipment focusing on precision finishing
of all metal types. This includes high-tech
cutting solutions; machining; bending; form-
ing; welding; and quick-turn metal fabrication
of flat, round and structural shapes in mild
steel, stainless and aluminum.
In 2008, before the recession kicked in,
Medalist Laserfab Human Resources Director
Cathy Van Deurzen said that trying to hire
experienced fabricators was "very difficult."
With the slowing down of the economy, the
company has seen an increased availability
of experienced fabricators. However, she
added, the economy will recover, and the
need for fabrication is always vital to manu-
facturing and the infrastructure of America.
"Metal fabrication is a business that is not
conducive to overseas development due to
the cost of shipping," explained Van Deurzen.
"It is one thing to bring in sheets of bulk
metal, but to ship parts and pieces of metal it
is more efficient to use a local fabricator.
So it is a solid industry, and I see it continu-
ing to need new talent.
"Every employer is looking for skilled, highly
motivated employees," she continued. "The
new Metal Fabrication program at Moraine Park
focuses on the foundation of metal fabrication
while providing the business acumen to assure
a well-rounded employee. . . . It gives the
students enough hands-on experience to define
their area of interest and start down the path of
an exciting career in metal fabrication."
Graduates of the new program can work in
several types of positions that are found at
area companies, including entry-level welder,
press brake set-up operator, fabricator/fitter,
plasma table operator/programmer, laser
operator or layout/set-up.
"Some companies might have a graduate
perform several of these functions," said
Clark, "while others might have them con-
centrate on one, with the larger companies
preferring specialization. Smaller companies
require more cross-training."
The new Metal Fabrication technical diploma
program will incorporate standards of the
American Welding Society, Fabricators and
Manufacturers Association (FMA) and Manu-
facturing Skills Standards Council. Moraine
Park has been an FMA-approved educational
site for business training since early 2008,
with the goal of helping the fabrication indus-
try continue to grow in Wisconsin and remain
nationally and globally competitive.
Details, including a video, about the Metal
Fabrication program can be found at
www.morainepark.edu.
� Program Spot light �
Crafting a New Program: Metal Fabrication
Thirty-three years ago a non-
profit charitable organization
was born with the purpose of
helping those in financial need
to obtain a technical college
education. Today, the Moraine
Park Foundation has a new
look (see our new logo above),
but its purpose remains
the same.
Since it was formed in 1976, the
Foundation has awarded more
than $1 million in scholarships
to help Moraine Park students
get the education and training
to achieve their career goals.
Every year our students have
an unmet financial need of
nearly $3 million, making the
generosity of our donors all the
more significant in our mission
to make a Moraine Park
education available to everyone.
To learn more about how
you can help current
Moraine Park students, visit
www.morainepark.edu/foundation.
If you received a scholarship
when you were a student at
the College and you'd like to
share your success story,
we'd love to hear from you!
E-mail Sharon Holmes, vice
president of marketing and
college advancement, at
sholmes@morainepark.edu.
New Look,
Same Purpose
3

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8 Produced by PageSuite