Ivy Tech’s award-winning welding program creates new academic and professional opportunities for students

As more high school graduates turn to technical and trade schools over traditional four-year university programs, many Hoosiers are choosing Ivy Tech to advance their hopes of learning valuable skills that will bring them into a rewarding career.

Jennifer Ortiz is the dean of the Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Science School at Ivy Tech Community College, Valparaiso campus. In her role, she has had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the success of students who have enrolled in technical programs.

Most recently, she has seen the institute’s welding program bring career offers even to some who were still in the process of completing their training.

“High schools are changing their graduation pathways. There are multiple ways to get a diploma, and graduating with a career and technical education program is one of them,” Ortiz said. “The welding program boasts about 50 high school students every single year. That’s almost half of our welding enrollment.”

Ivy Tech’s technical programs are ideal for high school graduates who would like to enter their career without debt. Dual enrollment has become a reliable pathway to secondary education for many who are hesitant to be bogged down by student loan debt.

“Last year, we took on 50 high school students through the Porter County Career Center,” Ortiz said. “We partner with that career center, and that’s known as dual enrollment. They’re in high school, but they’re also enrolled in a college-level program. If those students take both their junior and senior years at Ivy Tech in the welding program, they will walk away with a certificate, which is a short-term degree. With that degree, they will learn fundamentals in welding, MIG, TIG, and stick welding, as well as earn certifications in AWS and OSHA.”

Ivy Tech’s dual enrollment students recently saw the vast possibilities for their futures in welding competitions held locally.

“They participated in two competitions this year,” Ortiz said. “The first one was the Project MFG competition, Clash of the Trades. The second one was the Pipefitters Local 597 High School Welding Competition in Crown Point this past March. The students gained a lot of technical skills while they were there and met a lot of industry professionals who provided some future pathways. In fact, two of them were offered jobs when they graduated high school this past May. They have these great opportunities to meet the industry folks, get their names out there and start networking.”

In the state of Indiana, roughly 20% of the working population is in the manufacturing sector. With about one out of five people in this industry, people of all ages might be considering a shift into this field of work for more stability and continued growth opportunities. Ivy Tech offers flexible class hours and works with individuals to see what grants, including the Next Level Jobs Grant, and other assistance may be available to anyone interested in an exciting new career.

Welding in particular has become a popular trade of choice for many in the workforce, which is why Ivy Tech has invested in upgrades to this program to provide the best possible training and education.

“Ivy Tech spent over $1 million to upgrade the welding lab,” Ortiz said. “We provided an all-new ventilation system to all 48 multifunctional booths. Booths have new welding equipment and gasses, and it includes two ADA booths for anybody that has a disability.”

All of Ivy Tech’s upgrades have been implemented with current high-demand careers in mind. Accommodating students with disabilities so that everyone has the equal opportunity to learn and contribute to the workforce is an important part of its mission.

“We have dozens of job openings in Porter and La Porte Counties right now that need qualified and skilled builders. Ivy Tech has built relationships with these industries in the community with whom we meet twice a year every year to ensure our curriculum is meeting their needs,” Ortiz said. “We decided it was in our best interest to do an upgrade to the lab because our enrollment in welding has doubled in the last five years. We went from about 50 students to over 100, and in order to do that, we had to create the best environment for students to meet the needs of our industry.”

The upgrades and investments that Ivy Tech has implemented have paid off. Not only have students continued to enroll, successfully complete their programs, and enter the workforce, but the school has been recognized for its efforts by the state. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded Ivy Tech its Outstanding Postsecondary Program of Study Award to its welding program for the 2025-2026 academic year.

For those interested in the welding program offered through Ivy Tech’s Valparaiso Campus, or any inquiries about programs offered through the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences, Ortiz invites inquiries to her email, jfurmanek@ivytech.edu.

For more information on Ivy Tech, visit www.ivytech.edu.