ECC Launches New Pipe Welding and Quality Control Technician Certificates for Fall 2026

Elgin Community College (ECC) will expand its advanced manufacturing offerings with two new certificate programs launching in fall 2026: a Pipe Welding Basic Vocational Certificate and a Quality Control Technician Basic Vocational Certificate. Both programs are designed to prepare students for high-demand, industry-aligned careers through hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities. 

The new certificates will be housed in ECC’s new 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC), opening in the fall. This will provide students access to cutting-edge equipment and industry-relevant learning environments. 

The Pipe Welding Certificate equips students with foundational and advanced skills in industrial pipe welding, focusing on three primary processes: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Through hands-on instruction, students will learn equipment setup, operation, and advanced techniques for joining pipes in a variety of positions.

The program also emphasizes critical professional competencies, including selecting appropriate materials and conducting detailed visual inspections to identify weld defects. Graduates will be prepared to produce high-quality, code-compliant welds and pursue employment in industrial and union settings. 

Nationally, employment for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 5.2% over the next five years, with an average hourly wage of $27.06. 

The Quality Control Technician Certificate prepares students for careers in inspection and quality assurance across industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical device, and advanced manufacturing. Students will gain experience interpreting engineering drawings, applying precision measurement techniques, and using tools such as calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). 

The program can be completed in two semesters (14 credit hours) and requires no prerequisites, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly or continue into advanced manufacturing pathways.

While overall job growth in quality control roles is steady, approximately 79,900 openings are projected annually due to workforce turnover. Despite advances in automation, many inspection and validation tasks remain essential and cannot be replaced by technology.

Students in the quality control program will train in a specialized metrology lab designed to mirror real-world industry environments, including controlled, precision-focused settings.

“These programs are a direct response to what we’re hearing from employers across the region,” said Cathy Taylor, Ph.D., dean of sustainability, business, and career technologies at ECC. “Whether it’s skilled pipe welders or quality control technicians, companies need professionals who can step in with the right technical skills and attention to detail. By launching these certificates in our new Manufacturing and Technology Center, we’re giving students access to the tools, training, and experiences that align with today’s workforce—and tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Both programs offer accelerated pathways to employment and reflect ECC’s continued investment in workforce development and career-focused education.

For more information about ECC’s manufacturing and technology programs, visit elgin.edu/manufacturing.