Finger Lakes Community College recently recognized six graduates of its beginning welding class held at the Coach and Equipment bus manufacturing plant in the Horizon Business Park.

It’s the third welding class graduation in the last three months, reflecting a new FLCC strategy to meet the high demand for welders with a series of small classes across the region.

As Coach and Equipment considered training its own welders, the manufacturer faced challenges of scale. With a workforce of about 200, the 78-year-old company needs a steady supply of welders, albeit in small numbers, said Brian Forrest, human resources manager. 

The company partnered with FLCC after learning about the college’s new welding program that uses portable simulation technology to teach basic skills in a safe environment.

“Working with FLCC was a very nice way to achieve the goal of offering a reward to people already working here who had the aspiration to move up,” Forrest explained.

“Coach likes the idea of a small class size where the learning experience is at its best,” he added. “It is also helpful to not have too many in the program at one time where they would not be able to find welding positions to use their new skills in a reasonable amount of time after completing it.” 

The company’s leadership was pleased to see the employees' enthusiasm. “I went and chatted with people after the first weeks to see how it was going. One person said, ‘I can't wait for the next class. It's so interesting,’” Forrest said. 

Five adults completed the 12-week training program in Newark in December, and four had job offers within a week.

Six Victor High School students completed the class in January, earning high school elective credit while developing a marketable skill. Nick Sculli, a Victor school counselor, said the students all expressed a sense of accomplishment, and two now plan to pursue a career in welding.

“They didn't have plans at the beginning of this year, and now they do, so it gave them a direction. That was really cool to see,” he said.

Another small class for adults is underway at the FLCC main campus in Canandaigua.

The classes use the Miller AugmentedArc, a welding simulator that uses augmented reality to provide hands-on training without the danger of sparks, molten metal, and heat. Students wear a welding helmet and grasp a torch-like tool. Both are connected by cables to a computer running simulation software.

“It’s portable. It’s easy. You can teach people faster with it,” said FLCC President Robert Nye. “Innovation and flexibility are the keys to meeting today’s diverse training needs.”

Welding is a high-demand field, but in a rural area, jobs are scattered widely. A centralized teaching facility would be costly and impractical.

Instead, instructor Jahaan Williams totes two cases that look like oversized luggage from site to site, assembling the simulator in minutes. The computer screen in the helmet shows students exactly what they would see if using a real torch and metal. 

The software provides constant feedback, for example, alerting students if they are holding the tool incorrectly or need to change their hand motions. They can practice repeatedly since there is no need for acetylene and steel or other metals.

Students spend the final two weeks of the 12-week program in a real welding shop. By then, they have a firm grounding in basic technique and safety procedures.

Coach and Equipment’s class wrapped up in late February, and the company plans to hold another class this summer. The promise of a more sustainable welding workforce is critical as the company plans an expansion for later this year. The leadership hopes to lessen the backlog of bus orders by opening a second production line.

Workers have embraced the idea of training for a promotion without ever leaving the plant. Classes are held two days a week after a shift change.

Welders earn about $24 to $31 per hour, according to the New York State Department of Labor.

Beginning welding classes open to the community are held in Newark and Canandaigua. Day and evening classes will continue through 2026 and 2027. Training at other sites can be arranged through the Workforce, Career and Experiential Learning Office. For information, email workforce@flcc.edu or call (585) 785-1670.

Story submitted by: Lenore Friend, Director of PR and Communications
Finger Lakes Community College