Arclabs Welding Education, Equipping, and Training in South Carolina
Arclabs Welding Education, Equipping, and Training in South Carolina

welder training. testing. certification. placement.

Facts & Figures

SECURITY: Automation is less of a threat to welders and welding machine operators than to other manufacturing occupations. Welding machines must still be operated by someone who is knowledgeable about welding and can inspect the weld and make adjustments.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

ADVANCEMENT: Welders can advance to more skilled welding jobs with additional training and experience. For example, they may become welding technicians, supervisors, inspectors, or instructors. Some experienced welders open their own repair shops.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: Welding schools report that graduates have little difficulty finding work, and some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

FINANCIAL GOALS: The range of earnings of welders reflects the wide range of skill levels. Income in welding directly relates to your level of skill and training. In 2006, welders earned on average between $17.75 and $25.44 per hour.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMPLOYMENT: Welders have excellent job opportunities as some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

SECURITY: Welding skills are the same across industries, so welders can easily shift from one industry to another depending on where they are needed most. For example, welders laid off in the auto industry have been able to find work in the booming oil and gas industry.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: Employment of welding, soldering, and brazing workers is expected to grow about 5 percent over the 2006-16 decade.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMPLOYMENT: Welding has grown significantly over the long term because of advances that have allowed it to replace other joining technologies in many applications. Thus, demand for welders is increasing in the construction, manufacturing, and utilities industries.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: The outlook for welders in manufacturing is far stronger than for other occupations.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMPLOYMENT: Two of every three welding jobs were found in manufacturing. Jobs were concentrated in fabricated metal product manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, architectural and structural metals manufacturing, and construction.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

SECURITY: In custom applications, much of the work is difficult or impossible to automate. This includes manufacturing small batches of items, construction work, and making repairs in factories.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: Retirements and job growth in the oil and gas and other industries are expected to create excellent opportunities for welders.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Piedmont Staff

Gene Crook, President, Founder

Mr. Crook has a long history in the welding trade. Gene is a graduate of Virginia Tech, a member of the American Welding Society, has served on the national committee for the NTMA (National Tool and ion Machine Association) and is currently the vice-chair for the Welding Advisory Committee at Greenville Technical College. In 1975, he founded Task Industrial as a precision machining and fabrication company. Over the proceeding years, he grew the company to over 100 employees with annual sales more than $10 million dollars. Task quickly became one of the largest metal working job shops in South Carolina.

Beth Campbell - Financial Aid Director

Beth is the accountant for Arclabs. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Winthrop University where she earned a B.S. degree in Interior Design in 1999. She earned her master’s degree in Interior Architecture from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro in 2002. Beth has been working in accounting for 12 years. She is the mother of four who enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

  • B.S., Winthrop University, 1999
  • M.S., Interior Architecture, 2002

Bob Fellers, CWI/CWE Director of Welding Training and Testing

Mr. Fellers manages our welder testing and training services. He is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector and is the primary contact for all of our services. Bob has a long history in the welding trade and was president and primary owner of a steel erection company prior to joining Arclabs. Mr. Fellers serves as the treasurer of the Western Carolinas chapter of the American Welding Society (AWS-Section #195) and was also a key contributor in establishing an AWS scholarship fund that benefits students in welding programs at 3 South Carolina technical colleges.

Heidi Bray, Director of Admissions

Ms. Bray is a magna cum laude graduate of North Greenville University where she earned a BA in Business Communications in 2004. While attending NGU, she was a campus ambassador officer, member of the business society, and part of the praise team. After working as a Human Resource Manager for several years, she went back to Graduate school to pursue her MBA. She graduated from NGU in December of 2008. When she’s not helping others pursue their dreams, you can find her baking, bargain shopping, or spending time with her family and friends.

Melanie Brown, Admissions Counselor

Melanie is a cum laude graduate of North Greenville University with a BS in Business Administration. She is currently obtaining her MBA from North Greenville University. Joining Arclabs in 2010, she works with students and guides them through the admissions process. When she’s not at work or in class, Melanie enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends. Feel free to contact Melanie if you would like more information on one of the schools.

Leslie Godfrey, Admissions Counselor

Leslie is an Admissions Counselor at our corporate office. Leslie was born and raised in Tennessee. She received her BS in Health Education from East Tennessee State University in 1993. With her background being in sales, she most recently was in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years. Leslie is very excited to join the Arclabs team and hopes to become a resource to the students. In addition to being a member of the Easley Junior Women's Club, Leslie also enjoys volunteering with MARYs Closet and Meals on Wheels. When she is not working, Leslie loves spending time with her family and friends.

  • B.S., East Tennessee State University, 1993

Steve Wheat, CWI/CWE/CWS Senior Welding Instructor

Steve started in the welding industry in 1986 after he got out of the army. Steve has worked for Thermo Kinetic, Sanders Brothers and Gloenco. He has training and certified all types of welders and welding operators, developed welding procedures, processes for companies. Steve enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, working in his garden and riding his Harley.

  • Certificate, Certified Welding Instructor, American Welding Society, 2001
  • Certificate, Certified Welding Educator, American Welding Society, 2002
  • Certificate, Certified Welding Supervisor, American Welding Society, 2008
  • Certificate, Level II Liquid Penetrant Inspection, American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 2009
  • Certificate, Industrial Welding Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010
  • Certificate, Pipefitting Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010
  • Certificate, Core Curricula Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010

Christopher Lane, Instructor

Chris is an assistant NCCER certified instructor in Piedmont. Chris has been working in welding since 1975. In Chris’s welding career he has worked for Fluor Construction, Yeargin Construction and Freeman Mechanical. Chris is dedicated to working with the students to help them reach their full potential.

  • Certificate, Welding, Pickens County Vocational School, 1977
  • Certificate, Industrial Welding Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2009
  • Certificate, Pipefitting Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2009
  • Certificate, Core Curricula Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2009

Brandon Kelly, Lab Tech

Brandon is a graduate of Arclabs Welding School. He also has extensive training from the National Elevator Industry Education Program in addition to experience in the elevator mechanical field. Brandon eventually decided to pursue a career in welding because of the additional opportunities available in the field. He is currently a Lab Tech at Arclabs. Spending time with his family is very important to him, and he also enjoys drawing and painting works of art.

  • Certificate, Arclabs, 2011

Columbia Staff

Jill Letts, Site Manager

Jill holds a B.S. degree in secondary education and has worked as a middle school teacher in NC before moving into adult education and teaching continuing education classes. She spent 4 years at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA, she was elected Continuing Education Instructor of the Year. Upon moving to Columbia, SC, she worked as the training manager for a technology company, then as training manager for a large law firm for 10 years. While working in the technology field, Jill has acquired several professional Microsoft Certifications. She has extensive experience in training new employees as well as training and supporting new and ongoing technologies within large organizations. Jill is married, has a grown son and is active with her family and in her church. She enjoys bargain shopping, antique hunting, and Starbucks in her free time.

Leslie Lamkin, Admissions Counselor

Leslie is a graduate of South Carolina State University in December of 1991. She earned a BS in Accounting. She previously taught school for two years and worked for Ikon Office Solutions as a Shift Manager for twelve years. She joined Arclabs Welding School in 2010 as Office Coordinator, where she works with students and guides them through the admissions process. She is a mother of two girls who enjoys shopping, family time and going to church.

  • B.S., South Carolina State University, 1991

Michael Coleman, Instructor

After Mike graduated from high school, he joined the United States Navy. After basic training, he trained in all aspects of welding. Mike also trained in plate welding, pipefitting, high pressure pipe welding, and nuclear welding. Mike has worked for Thomas Manufacturing, Creative Wire and Tube, Volvo, Global Energy Group and Propak Logistics. Mike has supervised all maintenance and welding operation, trained welders and supervised welder operations. He is also certified in Lean management, 5s, Kaizan, ISO9001, ISO14000 and Six Sigma. In his free time, Mike enjoys riding is Harley, playing golf and spoiling is dog.

  • Certificate, Industrial Welding Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010
  • Certificate, Pipefitting Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010
  • Certificate, Core Curricula Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010

Joshua Jackson, Lab Tech

Josh is a graduate of Midlands Technical School in Automotive Service Excellence and from Arclabs. Josh has experience in the automotive fabricating and performance industry, but wanted to continue to pursue his career in welding. Josh is currently a Lab Tech at Arclabs. He is trained in plate and pipe welding, and is currently pursuing the NCCER instructor and AWS Associate CWI Certifications. In his spare time, Josh enjoys his time with his family, and working on anything that goes fast.

  • Certificate, Midlands Technical School, 2006
  • Certificate, Pipefitting Instructor, National Center for Construction and Research, 2010
  • Certificate, Arclabs, 2011