Masaba, a leader in material handling equipment and manufacturing, has pledged $25,000 in cash and equipment to support the recently expanded welding program at Northeast Community College in South Sioux City.
On October 16, Masaba held an open house for the 145,000 square-foot Harold Higman Fabrication Center, home to Masaba’s steel and metal fabrication production. With this additional facility, the company is able to add more welding and assembly bays and create 50 new jobs.
The expansion of the Industrial Training Building (ITB) on the Northeast campus in South Sioux City adds nearly 1,500 square feet to accommodate 20 welding booths and provide space for better student supervision and safety. The ITB was officially opened to students in the fall of 2024.
Through the Northeast welding program in both Norfolk and South Sioux City, students can earn a 16-week certificate for quick entry into the workforce or a two-semester diploma for more advanced training in areas like fabrication and blueprint reading.
The program prepares students for high-demand careers and includes opportunities for American Welding Society (AWS) certification.
Northeast President Leah Barrett said the expanded program supports the region’s small businesses.
“The expanded facilities and program in South Sioux City are allowing Northeast to meet increased employer requests for workers with specialized skills to fill vacant positions and foster business growth in the region,” Barrett said.
Northeast has also partnered with the South Sioux City Community Schools Gateway to Learning (GTL) program to provide more opportunities for students who may have challenges in a traditional high school setting. GTL is now located in the College Center, a building shared by Northeast and Wayne State College. This will provide students with easier access to Early College or Dual Credit Courses, encouraging them to earn college credits while in high school.
Katie Towler, director of the South Sioux City Extended Campus, said GTL students have access to both academic and applied technical programs, including welding.
“We are opening the doors to our full-time welding program to high school students who are close to meeting high school graduation requirements,” Towler said. “Students who participate will graduate with a high school diploma and a welding diploma.”
Northeast’s Early College program is tuition-free for students, but there are other costs. Masaba provides equipment for students that includes welding helmets and gloves, as well as cash to help purchase textbooks and tools and pay course fees.
“We’re proud to partner with Northeast to support students who are eager to build their futures for high-demand careers through hands-on training,” said Alyssa Walker, HR generalist at Masaba. “Our industry continues to face a growing need for skilled welders and fabricators, and partnerships like this help bridge that gap by giving students real-world experience that prepares them for successful careers right here in our community.”
“At Masaba, we believe in creating opportunities close to home where education, industry, and community come together to grow the next generation of welders and manufacturers,” Walker continued. “Supporting programs like this not only strengthens our local workforce but also reflects our core values of teamwork, accountability, and being civic minded.
“As a company built in and for this community, it’s incredibly rewarding to see students developing the skills that could one day bring them to Masaba or other local manufacturers. We’re excited to invest in their growth and the future of our industry.”
For more than 60 years, Masaba has been an innovative manufacturer of trusted conveyors and material handling equipment. The company was founded as Higman Sand & Gravel in 1939 by Harold Higman Sr. He designed much of his own equipment. His son, Harold Higman Jr., continued the tradition and founded Masaba in 1962. The current CEO, Jerad Higman, is the third generation of his family to lead the company.
Masaba was originally located in Akron, Iowa, and moved to Vermillion, South Dakota, in 2005. The company expanded in 2008 and 2012.
In addition to the expansion of the welding program, the project on the Northeast campus in South Sioux City included addition of a truck driving program and a CDL building, further enhancing Northeast’s ability to meet regional workforce needs. The expansion was funded by money from the American Rescue Plan Act with other federal grants and private donations.
To learn more about Northeast’s welding program or to support workforce development, visit Northeast.edu.
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