LINCOLN – Improving the program by improving the tools.

The Southeast Community College Welding Technology program continues to improve the program with the recent installation of 18 new welders.

Mark J Hawkins, program co-chair of the Welding program at SCC-Lincoln, states that “The Welding technology program continues to upgrade our power sources (welding machines) to reflect the latest technology.”

The program continues to strive as new equipment has recently been purchased to keep up with the increased demand the program has for training the students.

The Welding program at SCC has recently purchased 18 new units of “inverter” style multi process power sources, which can be used for multiple welding purposes according to Hawkins.

The new machines have 400 amps of power output, yet only weigh about 52 pounds.

“Twenty years ago a 400 amp machine could weigh between 600-700 pounds,” said Hawkins.

The inverter style power sources are also about 50 percent more energy efficient than the older technology used in the past.

Hawkins added, “This is just one example of the ever-changing technology that the program continues to implement.”

The Welding and Technology Program, which is offered both in Lincoln and Milford, offers extensive training to its students to help them recognize the national standard codes of welding throughout the United States.

Recent student graduates report an average starting wage of $16.75 per hour and maximum wage of $32.10 per hour.