The Metal Fabrication & Welding program produces durable, high-quality metal products used in real-world environments, including industrial sanders, park equipment such as fire rings and benches, and custom-fabricated components tailored to client needs. Participants work in a production setting that emphasizes precision, safety, and adherence to industry standards.

Through a comprehensive training pathway, participants develop skills aligned with careers in welding, fabrication, and skilled trades. The program combines hands-on instruction with professional expectations, preparing individuals for competitive employment in the metal trades.

Minimum-custody participants may continue advancing their skills at The FORGE, where they apply foundational training to complex, real-world projects. Work at The FORGE integrates both metal and wood fabrication and may include installing fabricated components onto customer chassis, refurbishing trailers, building tiny homes, constructing boat docks, and more – providing experience that supports career growth and post-release employment.

Skills & Experience Gained

Participants gain hands-on experience in metalworking processes commonly used across fabrication shops and industrial environments, with an emphasis on safety, accuracy, and quality.

Key skills include:

• Metal fabrication and welding techniques
• Blueprint reading and layout
• Cutting, forming, and shaping metal
• Structural and precision welding
• Surface preparation, finishing, and coating
• Quality control, inspection, and safety compliance

Equipment & Technology

Participants operate a wide range of industrial equipment found in professional fabrication and welding shops, including:

• Horizontal and vertical band saws
• Chop saws and cut-off saws
• Manual and CNC plasma cutters
• Oxy-acetylene torches
• Ironworker machines and shears
• Hydraulic shop presses
• Press brakes
• Tube benders and pipe notchers
• Plate and sheet rollers
• Drill presses and magnetic drills
• Lathes and milling machines
• MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux Core welders
• Sandblasting cabinets and booths
• Paint booths and industrial sprayers
• Precision measuring tools (gauges, calipers, micrometers)
• Angle, die, belt, and disc grinders

Software & Systems

Participants gain exposure to industry-standard software used for design, fabrication, and production support, including:

• Machine-specific proprietary software
• Cabinet Vision and ActionPress Vision
• Autodesk Inventor, Vault Pro, AutoCAD, and DWG TrueView
• AlphaCam and HyperCam
• 3ds Max and Blender
• Adobe Acrobat Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, Bridge, and Photoshop
• Microsoft Visual Studio, VS Code, Word, and Excel

Certifications & Credentials

Participants may earn widely recognized industry credentials, including:

• OCE Industrial Technology – Metal Fabrication & Welding
• NCCER Core
• NCCER Welding Levels 1–3
• NCCER Project Management
• BOLI Welding Apprenticeship
• AWS qualification cards for advanced welds (including 3G and 4G)

Participant Perspective