UPDATE: Palo Alto College has just announced a groundbreaking investment of $1 million to expand its welding program, a response to surging demand for skilled welders in San Antonio and beyond. This urgent development comes amid a growing interest in vocational training, as industries across the nation grapple with a critical shortage of qualified workers.
The college’s welding lab, which previously housed 20 welding booths, has consistently reached capacity, prompting the need for expansion. With the addition of 20 new booths, the facility will now offer a total of 45 booths for students to gain hands-on experience. This expansion is set to open at the beginning of the 2025 fall semester, allowing even more students to enter the workforce equipped with essential skills.
Yves Fanfelle, lead welding instructor, emphasized the urgency of this move, stating that the demand for welders spans various industries, including the booming oil and automotive sectors: “Right now, the oil field, the car industry… there’s a lot of places opening up that are trying to refurbish batteries for all these Teslas and others.”
In addition to immediate job opportunities, the expansion responds to the upcoming opening of JCB’s largest facility in San Antonio, expected to create approximately 200 manual welding jobs by October 2026. This announcement signifies a critical moment for local students, as they prepare to enter a job market ripe with opportunities.
Luis Fernandez, dean of workforce and professional programs at Palo Alto College, noted the ongoing interest in the welding program, which has maintained a waitlist due to high enrollment. “Our students now have about 45 booths that we can serve because of the additional million dollars invested in this program,” he said, reinforcing the college’s commitment to meeting industry needs.
The expansion is set to enhance training in advanced technologies, including laser welding, positioning Palo Alto College as a leader in modern welding education. Student Sandra Gomez highlighted the program’s relevance, saying, “There’s a lot of PPE. A lot of robotics welding, which is pretty cool. We advance so much in technology. I love it.”
Looking ahead, Fernandez revealed that the college is not done expanding. Thanks to recent voter support in Bexar County, which approved a $987 million bond, a new facility in Brook City will add another 40 to 50 welding booths within three years.
Palo Alto College’s investment is more than just numbers; it represents an opportunity for students like Gomez, who plans to complete her associate’s degree in welding by December. Her passion for welding, rooted in her family’s legacy, showcases the personal impact of the program: “I first became interested in metalwork and welding by watching my grandfather, a sheet metal roofer.”
This expansion not only prepares students for immediate employment but also offers pathways for further education, including a bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology and Operations Management. As the demand for skilled welders continues to rise, Palo Alto College is taking significant steps to ensure its students are well-equipped for the future.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops, and watch for the enhanced welding program to open its doors in 2025, setting a new standard for vocational training in the region.
