Glen Oaks Community College receives 11,000-pound steel donation for welding program

Students will use the materials to practice key welding and cutting techniques

Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) and the St. Joseph County ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) welding program have received a donation of more than 11,000 pounds of steel tubing from Lozier Corporation’s Middlebury, Indiana, plant to support hands-on training for students.

The donation — totaling 11,373 pounds of steel tubing — will provide students with essential materials for welding, cutting, and fabrication, helping to prepare them for careers in the skilled trades.

“This donation will allow students to engage in practical projects, working with real materials that align with industry standards and expectations,” said Alyse Bannister, welding instructor at Glen Oaks. “The ability to train on high-quality materials is crucial in helping students develop the skills they need to be workforce-ready.”

The contribution includes six bundles of 1-inch by 2 ¾-inch tubing in both 11-gauge and 14-gauge thickness. Students will use the materials to practice key welding and cutting techniques, including Oxy-fuel cutting, Plasma Arc Cutting, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).

GOCC officials said industry partnerships like this one are critical in preparing students for in-demand jobs.

The college expressed its gratitude to Lozier Corporation for its support of workforce development and skilled trades education.

For more information on the Glen Oaks welding program, visit www.glenoaks.edu.

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