Spotlight Series: Yves Fanfelle

As Palo Alto College celebrates record-breaking enrollment, one program stands out for its unprecedented expansion. After only two months in operation, the Welding Technology program reached 100% capacity, and one year in is quickly becoming a cornerstone of vocational education in San Antonio. This quick expansion has resulted in an additional $1.6 million investment to expand the program with 20 new welding bays, bringing the total to 46 fully equipped welding stations. 

The man responsible in large part for the program's continued success is none other than Yves Fanfelle, the Faculty Program Lead. A French immigrant with a rich background in various industries, Yves brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role. His career is marked by remarkable achievements, including significant contributions to national security through the aerospace industry, healthcare innovations, and now, shaping the future of welding education.

Fanfelle began his journey in education through his experience in quality assurance roles, guiding other welding professionals through challenges while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards. Allowing him to recognize the need for a more holistic approach to welding education, "I noticed that students coming into the field weren't prepared to enter the workforce, so I came to PAC and spoke to President Dr. Garza," shares Fanfelle. "Dr. Garza wanted to build one of the best welding schools in the country, and I felt that I had the right amount of input and planning to get us there." 

With that directive, Fanfelle set out to create a program to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field. At the heart of Fanfelle's teaching philosophy is a commitment to preparing students for real-world applications. He goes beyond traditional welding techniques, incorporating elements that he calls additions to students’ “Welding Wallets,” like business fundamentals, financial well-being, personal safety, quality control, and industry trends into the curriculum. "I give students the tools to understand what's really going on out there other than just welding," says Fanfelle.

"I also incorporate my students in the grading process," said Fanfelle. "If I were to grade them, I'd probably just assign them a grade, and they would never understand how they are developing and what they can learn from others." 

By involving students in the grading process, he fosters an understanding of quality control and performance standards, which are essential skills in the industry. His hands-on teaching approach emphasizes the "7 defects of welding" and implements a continuous feedback loop, helping students grasp the critical aspects of their craft. His approach has already yielded impressive outcomes, with graduates stepping into successful careers, including a welding graduate who started his own business.

As the welding industry continues to evolve, Fanfelle remains at the forefront of innovation. He constantly explores new technologies and incorporates them into the program, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills needed to stay competitive in the job market. The latest addition to his program is a state-of-the-art laser welder, making Palo Alto College one of the few in the nation to offer this emerging technology and opening up even more workforce opportunities for PAC students. 

"I believe in building a curriculum for the future," says Fanfelle. "Many companies are going to laser welding, and it will be great to have our school at the forefront of that movement."

As a dedicated educator and program builder, Fanfelle has given countless students the tools needed to achieve their goals, leaving a lasting impact on the community. If you would like to learn more about the Welding Technology program, visit n4rh1.com/pac/welding.