SDCCE to Double Size of Lab, Add Free Robotics Courses to Address Shortage of Welders

A $300,000 technology upgrade is underway at San Diego College of Continuing Education to prepare student welders for advancements in the trade.

SDCCE will be adding new skill studies — coding and robotics — for free.

Students already have access to five tuition-free welding certificates, for shielding metal arc welding, gas metal and flux-cored arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and pipe welding.

The 100,000 square foot welding facility located at the Educational Cultural Complex in Mountain View will be equipped with a plasma cutter robot, a welder robot, electrical upgrades to equipment installed in the 1970s, as well as new smart TVs and cameras for HyFlex teaching.

“I am certain you cannot learn robotic welding anywhere else in the nation without a cost,” said Brad Dorschel, Master Welder and chair of the Skilled and Technical Trades Program at SDCCE. “The knowledge our students will gain here will transfer to all industrial robotic industries.”

While robots will not replace human welders, Dorschel explained the purpose of robotic welders is to troubleshoot weld parameters, which increases efficiency and productivity. The Department of Labor projects a 26% growth in industrial automation (robotic) jobs by 2030.

In addition to the new robots and HyFlex technology coming this summer, SDCCE secured $1.175 million from BlueForge Alliance in October 2023, to double the size of its welding lab as part of a comprehensive effort addressing a shortage of skilled welders. Expansion plans are in progress.

The college’s integration of robotic machinery into the certificate program offers an exciting advantage for the next generation of welders.

When Andrea Rosas, 30, was a Girl Scout cadet, she designed robotics camps for young girls where they could build, troubleshoot and code for competitions. Despite exploring other fields, she recalled, “working in a trade (was) always in the back of mind.” She then moved to San Diego and was inspired by her uncle, a successful architect, to pursue welding.

“I wanted to go back to school but didn’t have the means to do so,” said the aspiring underwater welder. “I was amazed … that this welding school is free.”

Angel Espinoza, 24, once attended Miramar College for biotechnology but he had to leave school to focus on his job. While working on fire watch at General Dynamics NASSCO, he heard about SDCCE’s welding program from coworkers.

Being part of the shielded metal arc welding curriculum led Espinoza to a promotion as a fitter for NASSCO. His long-term goal is to become a welding instructor. The college’s technology upgrades will be an asset.

“The future is technology,” he said. “Learning robotics will open a lot of doors.”

Welding is among the highest paying skilled trades in the country. Welders in San Diego County earn an average of $73,531 annually, according to the California Employment Development Department, which projects 42,600 job openings for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers each year, on average, over the decade.

“Our students typically come from significantly diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Giving them access to learn a high demand industry paired with futuristic technology makes them very competitive candidates for the workforce,” said SDCCE President Dr. Tina M. King.

Enrollment for summer session opens on May 13.