Welding Technology & Fabrication
Meet the Instructor
Henry Laxton, Welding Instructor
henry.laxton@jonesboroschools.net
(870) 933.5891 ext. 28234
Office Hours: 2:25pm - 3:05pm
Meet Mr. Henry Laxton, our vibrant Welding & Fabrication maven at NEACTC! With 25 years in the industry and 15 in education, Mr. Laxton, a retired United States Army Soldier, holds a Master's Degree and is halfway through a Doctorate in Education.
His proudest moment? Seeing students teach his lessons and grow into remarkable individuals. Mr. Laxton's instruction? Outstanding. He expects respect, honesty, and no excuses from his students. And a fun fact? Mr. Laxton is the epitome of fun himself!
About Welding
Gear up for an exhilarating expedition into the realm of Welding Technology at NEA Career & Tech Center! This program of study has been specifically developed to meet the growing industrial demands of the NEA marketplace, offering you an incredible opportunity to dive into a field with abundant career prospects.
Over the course of two years, you'll gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in welding techniques and the properties of different materials. You'll explore the art of joining materials through cutting-edge methods like Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). These techniques are the very same ones used by local NEA manufacturers, paving the way for exciting career positions within the thriving NEA industries.
As part of the Welding Technology program, you'll have access to state-of-the-art fabrication machinery, including a 5 X 10 plasma table. Imagine working with cutting-edge tools and learning how to design materials using CAD software specifically for plasma cutting. This hands-on experience will give you a competitive edge in the industry.
Alongside advanced technologies, you'll also master the use of traditional tools and machinery used in metal fabrication and material preparation prior to welding. This well-rounded skill set will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the entire welding process.
So, if you're passionate about working with your hands, enjoy the thrill of creating and building, and want to be part of the booming industrial scene in NEA, the Welding Technology program at NEACTC is the perfect fit for you. Join us and unlock a world of opportunities in the fascinating field of welding. Your future starts here!
What You'll Learn
Welding and Fabrication's 2024 Spring Curriculum Map
Concurrent Credit
Articulated college credit is available at no cost to students through ASUN, Arkansas State University - Newport. Enrolled students have the opportunity to receive up to 6 hours of college credit through our Welding program. The current available college credit courses are Intro to SMAW (3 hours) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (3 hours). Concurrent credit goes alongside the student's classroom work which means no extra work!
Certifications
Our welding program is certified as a site for AWS welding certifications where students will earn AWS welding certificates.