Learn more about the scholarships and grants supported by the AWS Foundation, as well as how to apply.
Instructors Institute
Hands-On Development for Welding Instructors
Hands-On Development for Welding Instructors
July 19 - 25, 2026
The AWS Instructors Institute provides welding instructors an opportunity to enhance and strengthen their teaching skills,
experience hands-on learning of new teaching techniques, and learn more about programs and resources AWS offers tailored to support educators.
Each year, a welding instructor is selected at each of the 22 District Conferences to attend the institute, held in Miami (Doral), Florida at AWS headquarters.
This week-long event offering both in classroom and hands-on welding lab sessions gives participants the opportunity to communicate and share their experiences
with fellow instructors in a setting that is devoted to their specific concerns.
For more information, contact Martica Ventura at mventura@aws.org
Program Facilitators
Program Facilitators
J. Jones and Dr. Richard Polanin have worked together for years to provide instructors with an opportunity to enhance and strengthen their teaching skills, experience hands-on learning of new teaching techniques, and learn more about programs and resources AWS offers tailored to support educators.
J. Jones
J. Jones
Vice President, AWS
The Harris Products Group District
Sales Manager
J. Jones was elected to serve as vice president, is district sales manager at The Harris Products Group. Throughout his over 40-year membership with AWS, he has held leadership roles at the Section and national levels. This includes serving as executive committee director in 2019 and AWS District 17 director for 15 years. He is also an AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE).
Rick Polanin
Rick Polanin
President, WRP Associates
American Welding Society
Former President and Vice President
Dr. Richard Polanin is a former AWS President and Vice President. He is a retired professor and program chair of the manufacturing engineering technology and welding technology programs at Illinois Central College, where he continues to teach. He is currently the co-principal investigator for Weld-Ed, chair of the AWS Peoria Section, vice chair of the International Institute of Welding Commission XIV, and president of WRP Associates. He is also involved in several AWS committees
Location
Location
Miami, Florida
AWS Headquarters
8669 Doral Blvd, Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166
Located in Doral, Miami, AWS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering and thermal spraying.
MLEC&TC Welding Lab
5780 NW 158th St, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
HOTEL
HOTEL
Miami, Florida
The Intercontinental at Doral Miami
2505 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172
Discover a new dimension of luxury at InterContinental at Doral Miami. From our elegant rooms to our ideal location with easy access to City Place, downtown Doral, International Mall, and Dolphin Mall, you’ll experience the refined vibrance of Miami. Immerse yourself in Florida’s culinary heritage with Latin fusion flavors at our restaurant, Blue Matisse, or sip craft cocktails at Nau Lounge. Enjoy our heated pool, fitness centre, and expansive palm courtyard after a day—or night—on the town.
Welding Lab
Welding Lab
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College (MLEC&TC)
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College (MLEC&TC) is one of seven accredited technical colleges in the Miami-Dade School District. MLEC&TC was initially established as Miami Lakes Educational Center in 1976 and over the years, has evolved to meeting the needs of the changing community. In 2006 the center began offering a secondary high school component. This innovative, dual delivery educational institution is designed to serve various aspects of the community and to provide a unique approach to education. The school prides itself as an organization driven by its mission: Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College is to create a highly qualified future workforce by offering state-of-the-art academic, career and technical education to all generations within our community.
MLEC&TC encompasses a fully accredited technical college offering a wide variety of programs including licensed practical nursing, medical assisting, patient care technician, cosmetology, a culinary art, heavy equipment operator, A/C & refrigeration, major appliance repair, truck driving, diesel mechanic, electronics technology, automotive, IT, and more. Programs vary in length from one to four trimesters, and all lead to industry certifications. Various forms of federal, state, and local financial aid are available to those who qualify. Most importantly, students graduate debt-free. For more information call 305-558-8000 or log on to miamilakes.edu.
VENDORS
VENDORS
Thank you!