Beyond the Classroom: Transforming Welding Student Learning at FABTECH

Each year offers an opportunity to attend FABTECH (https://www.fabtechexpo.com/), North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event. Every other year, it’s been held in Chicago, Ill., with the alternate cities being Atlanta, Ga., Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas, Nev.   

When the event comes to Atlanta, Ga., our welding technology program at Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) (https://www.tctc.edu/), Pendleton, S.C., seizes the opportunity to connect students with the heart of the industry. What may look like a challenging logistical puzzle is, in reality, an investment in education that goes far beyond classroom boundaries. Our faculty members, advisory board, and industry partners collaborate year-round to make these trips happen. This story, outlining the behind-the-scenes work involved and the importance of students learning in different ways, serves as inspiration for other instructors to follow suit. 

Planning and Purpose: Building Real-World Opportunities 

Attending FABTECH is not a last-minute decision but a core part of our program’s vision. We plan our trips months in advance, including registering in time to enjoy free attendance (please also note that you need to be 16 years old to attend, see [https://www.fabtechexpo.com/attend/attendee-faq] or more FAQs), fundraising efforts, and coordinating travel arrangements (for a two-hour bus ride and hotel stay). The opportunity spreads excitement and allows for more in-depth conversations that support career exploration, industry awareness, and validation of technical skills. With support from college leadership and insights from our advisory committee, the trip becomes a justified extension of hands-on learning. 

Making these opportunities accessible to as many students as possible requires significant resources. Our unique fundraising model supports this goal. Each summer, our capstone fabrication class identifies and completes real-world welding projects for community clients and internal stakeholders, from trailer repairs and yard furniture to custom agricultural implements or unique event pieces. Projects are selected based on capabilities, student schedules, and sponsor contributions, ensuring every project strengthens both skills and our travel fund. 

Some projects are donated back to the college foundation for raffling, making the campus community part of our journey to FABTECH. This series of hands-on, client-driven projects allows students to apply their skills in practical, real-world scenarios far beyond the welding booth. Most importantly, students witness firsthand how their technical proficiency contributes to meaningful solutions and visible results. 

The Atlanta Experience: Exposure and Exploration 

When FABTECH comes to Atlanta, we charter a tour bus and fill it with as many passionate students and faculty as we can. Our preference is for overnight trips; this allows maximum time on the exhibition floor and the chance to attend evening presentations or network with professionals staying in the same hotels.  

In the January 2023 Welding Journal, TCTC Welding Students Gunner Ashford and Kincade Brandon were featured in the FABTECH 2022 recap article about coming to the show with their classmates. 

To provide a breakdown of the costs involved, amounts can vary based on vendor pricing, location, and inflation. Below are the details from 2022. 

• Overall, the cost for the tour bus and a driver, over two days in a supplied hotel room, was $2500. 

• The hotel’s room bulk rate was 30 rooms at $95/room, and two students stayed in each room. Faculty provided a room for themselves. 

• Food was handled by cash per diem per student and attendee at $65/person. 

• Seven faculty and 42 students participated, making up 49 attendees. 

• The final price was around $185/person. 

The expo itself is mind-opening in scale and organization. Exhibits stretch as far as the eye can see, representing a diverse range of companies from global manufacturers of welding equipment and automation systems to material suppliers, educational organizations, and safety product vendors. 

For many students, this is their first exposure to the full breadth of the field — not just the work they see in class, but the interconnected network of vendors, manufacturers, innovators, and skilled professionals. It’s also illuminating to see the collaboration of the organizations behind the scenes. AWS (https://www.aws.org/), SME (https://www.sme.org/), FMA (https://www.fmamfg.org/), PMA (https://www.pma.org/), and CCAI (https://www.ccaiweb.com/) unite to create this world-class event. 

Industry Partnerships: Bringing the Field Closer to Home 

A key factor in the sustained success of our FABTECH trips and welding program overall is the strong support we receive from our advisory committee. These partners connect us directly to the pulse of the industry, offering guidance, resources, and mentorship that elevate our students’ experiences beyond what we can achieve on our own. Our advisory board members continue to add tremendous value, providing up-to-date feedback on industry demands. These collaborative efforts keep our teaching closely aligned with evolving workforce expectations, increasing the impact of every dollar and hour invested in the FABTECH experience. 

Learning Through Community and Conversation 

While not every student in our program can attend FABTECH, anticipation and excitement build through classroom and welding lab discussions, both before and long after the show. These conversations serve as informal forums for sharing insights and discoveries, enabling students to stay connected to the latest industry trends and technologies. Our faculty and students discuss the emerging processes, equipment, and opportunities at the event extensively, deepening everyone’s awareness, regardless of attendance.  

A particular highlight comes when current students witness the achievements of alums who have excelled in the field. At FABTECH, some of our former students have served as panelists and presenters in AWS-sponsored sessions to give back to the next generation and inspire communities through their stories of professional growth and recognition. 

Making a Lasting Impact 

The most compelling rewards are long-term. Welding students return energized, reporting renewed enthusiasm for their welding studies and potential career paths. These experiences ripple beyond individuals, raising the bar for our whole program and inspiring future cohorts. As educators and industry advocates, we see these immersive, industry-driven experiences as essential. FABTECH is a catalyst, showcasing the limitless range of opportunities in welding and leaving a lasting impression on everyone who attends. 

This article was written by Paul Phelps (formerly the welding instructor and currently dean of the engineering and industrial technology division at TCTC, Pendleton, S.C.) for the American Welding Society.