Elgin Community College Launches New Pipe Welding and Quality Control Technician Certificates for Fall 2026

ELGIN, Ill., May 12, 2026 — Elgin Community College (ECC) will expand its advanced manufacturing offerings with two new certificate programs launching in fall 2026: a Pipe Welding Basic Vocational Certificate and a Quality Control Technician Basic Vocational Certificate. Both programs are designed to prepare students for high-demand, industry-aligned careers through hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities.

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The new certificates will be housed in ECC’s new 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC), opening in the fall. This will provide students access to cutting-edge equipment and industry-relevant learning environments.

The Pipe Welding Certificate equips students with foundational and advanced skills in industrial pipe welding, focusing on three primary processes: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Through hands-on instruction, students will learn equipment setup, operation, and advanced techniques for joining pipes in a variety of positions.

The program also emphasizes critical professional competencies, including selecting appropriate materials and conducting detailed visual inspections to identify weld defects. Graduates will be prepared to produce high-quality, code-compliant welds and pursue employment in industrial and union settings.

Nationally, employment for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 5.2% over the next five years, with an average hourly wage of $27.06.

The Quality Control Technician Certificate prepares students for careers in inspection and quality assurance across industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical device, and advanced manufacturing. Students will gain experience interpreting engineering drawings, applying precision measurement techniques, and using tools such as calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

The program can be completed in two semesters (14 credit hours) and requires no prerequisites, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly or continue into advanced manufacturing pathways.

While overall job growth in quality control roles is steady, approximately 79,900 openings are projected annually due to workforce turnover. Despite advances in automation, many inspection and validation tasks remain essential and cannot be replaced by technology.

Students in the quality control program will train in a specialized metrology lab designed to mirror real-world industry environments, including controlled, precision-focused settings.

“These programs are a direct response to what we’re hearing from employers across the region,” said Cathy Taylor, Ph.D., dean of sustainability, business, and career technologies at ECC. “Whether it’s skilled pipe welders or quality control technicians, companies need professionals who can step in with the right technical skills and attention to detail. By launching these certificates in our new Manufacturing and Technology Center, we’re giving students access to the tools, training, and experiences that align with today’s workforce—and tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Both programs offer accelerated pathways to employment and reflect ECC’s continued investment in workforce development and career-focused education.

For more information about ECC’s manufacturing and technology programs, visit elgin.edu/mtc.

Contact:
Elgin Community College
Communications
Office: 847.214.7838
Email: news@elgin.edu

About ECC: An Achieving the Dream Leader College and one of the Aspen Institute’s Top 200 schools in the nation, Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive, fully accredited public community college and serves approximately 16,000 students each year Programs of study include more than 30 major fields for university transfer, a full complement of pre-collegiate courses, corporate and continuing education, and more than 130 career-oriented occupational degrees and certificates. ECC is also a U.S. Department of Education-designated Hispanic Serving Institution.

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All members of the media should utilize the communications department as the first point of contact. The director of communications may be reached at 847-214-7838 or news@elgin.edu. All Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests must be submitted in writing to Erin Schmalen, compliance officer, at eschmalen@elgin.edu or via fax at 847-214-7375.