Every morning welding students get up and are in class working hard by 7:30 am in the workshop, room A145. Their day does not end until 2 that afternoon, though there is a lunch break around noon. This welding program here at West Allis campus is listed on the American Welding Society, also known as the AWS. Not only is there a class and program for welding, but there is also a club for welding students.Just like every other club, they have a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Vice President and President. There are a total of 16 to 17 members in the program and club. “Welding students have an automatic membership,” advisor and instructor of the welding program, Mark Koehler said. “Most members are bachelor diplomas with some associate degree students,” Koehler said. On the third Thursday of each month there is a meeting at noon. “We basically sit around and talk about welding,” Treasurer, Steve Behling said. Though there seems to be more than just that to talk about.

Things going on for the welding club are coming up within the next few months. On April 12 and 13 there will be a welding representative competing in the State Wide, Skilled USA competition.

They will be representing MATC Welding as a whole. On May 11 they will also be displaying their work at Portfolio Night, at Discovery World. These are not the only thing they partake in, “We are always out to help,” Koehler said. They assist with the Kids Christmas Party at West Allis Campus, and other organizations or events at MATC. There is also a web site online for more information.