Silver Hawk Fabrication Opens Its Doors to the Next Generation of Welders
April 2, 2026
A classroom partnership built on real-world results
Silver Hawk Fabrication recently welcomed a group of advanced welding students from Eastern Iowa Community College’s Scott Campus for a hands-on facility visit that put their skills to the test outside the classroom.
The students, ranging from high school age to recent graduates seeking employment, represent some of the most advanced learners in their program. By this stage, they have completed training in MIG, flux core, stick, and in some cases TIG welding alongside emerging coursework in fabrication, 3D design, and blueprint reading.
The visit was organized in collaboration with Michael Clark, welding instructor at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, and is part of an ongoing partnership between the college and Silver Hawk. The Silver Hawk participates in the program’s industry advisory committee, providing direct feedback that shapes curriculum decisions and opening its floor for visits like this one.
Why it matters: real stakes, real feedback
During the visit, students completed practical assessments including a weld test, math evaluations, and blueprint reading exercises. These tests mirror actual hiring requirements in the fabrication industry.
Instructor Michael Clark described the purpose plainly: “When students perform these tasks in a real shop environment, the stakes change. A student who struggles with blueprint reading in a classroom context can walk away thinking it’s just an academic exercise. Doing it here, knowing that a company won’t hire them until they’ve mastered it, reframes the lesson entirely.”
The experience also flows back into curriculum improvements. Students return to class with a clear picture of where to focus, and the college uses industry feedback from Silver Hawk and other partners to update course offerings — whether that means more out-of-position welding, deeper blueprint work, or additional 3D design training.
A program that reflects the workforce
One detail worth noting, Clark estimates that more than a third of his current students are women. He says they consistently perform well, bringing a level of detail-orientation and patience that translates directly to quality welds. The diversity in the classroom, he notes, raises the bar for everyone.
Silver Hawk is proud to support programs that are building a skilled, diverse, and ready workforce for fabrication and manufacturing in eastern Iowa. We look forward to continuing this partnership and to meeting these students again, perhaps on the job.
Beyond the weld: building character and a growth mindset
For Jamie Howland, manager at Silver Hawk Fabrication, the value of these visits goes beyond technical skill. During the tour, students, instructor Clark, and Howland engage in open conversations about real-world applications — and about what it actually takes to become a strong candidate in the industry. “The skills are not only related to the welding industry,” Howland notes, “but to building a better character that ultimately creates a candidate that is more employable.” Silver Hawk places particular emphasis on two things: the habit of asking questions, and the mindset of continuous learning. In a field where any given project may have multiple valid approaches, knowing your process is only the starting point. Students are encouraged to master what they are taught — and then to speak up when they see a different or better way to get there. It’s a two-way street. As Howland puts it, these students aren’t the only ones learning. The team at Silver Hawk is right there with them.
