White Mountains Community College Now Offering AWS Welding Certification Services to the Public
WMCC only accredited testing facility in New Hampshire
Berlin, N.H. (September 23, 2025)— White Mountains Community College (WMCC) in Berlin, New Hampshire has launched American Welding Society (AWS) certification services for both students enrolled in the college’s welding program and the general public. WMCC’s Accredited Test Facility (ATF) is led by Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs) who evaluate the strength, quality, and integrity of completed welds to assess a welder’s skill level and ensure they meet the AWS requirements.
“AWS certification is a portable credential that helps prove that an individual has the required skillset to do a job well. It opens doors to jobs and is a path to higher wages,” said Don Arguin, ATF coordinator at WMCC. “In many cases – such as government contracts – certification is required.”
Funding from a 2019–2025 Northern Borders Regional Commission grant supported the creation and initial infrastructure of the ATF at WMCC. This investment laid the groundwork for New Hampshire’s first AWS accredited test facility, establishing WMCC as a critical resource for industry and a foundation for expanding regional technical training. Funding received in the New Hampshire state budget approved by the governor and legislature enabled WMCC to expand program infrastructure so welding certification services could be offered to the public, bolstering the welding workforce and facilitating a broad range of projects that rely on certified welders.
“There are training programs for welders that have Certified Welding Inspectors for their own students, but they are not open to the public. When a large program that provided certifications out of Bangor, Maine recently closed, there was a real need for an ATF that is open to all. We stepped up to fill the gap and serve both our own students and the community,” Annette Cole, manager of Workforce Development at WMCC explained.
As part of WMCC’s Workforce Education program, the ATF is available for a broad range of certifications ranging from common applications – such as pipe and structural steel welding – to custom work.
The ATF began serving high school welding classes even before its official public opening. “We have had busloads of students come for certifications. They will graduate high school with baseline certifications that give them an edge in the job market or a leg up before continuing their welding education,” Cole said.
For more information about WMCC’s ATF and welding certification services, please visit WMCC.edu/ATF.
About White Mountains Community College
White Mountains Community College (WMCC) was founded in 1966 as part of the Community College System of New Hampshire. With a main campus in Berlin and academic center in Littleton, WMCC offers accredited associate degree and certificate programs along with flexible day, evening, and online courses that prepare students for the workforce or transfer to four-year institutions. Serving about 1,000 students annually, the college provides high-quality education in fields such as nursing, welding, culinary arts, and advanced technologies, while working closely with regional employers to meet local workforce needs. Recognized as one of the top 150 U.S. community colleges eligible for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, WMCC continues to fulfill its mission of affordability, accessibility, and enriching the communities of New Hampshire’s North Country.
