Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Eric Phye
Mr. Phye , Eric
Welding Instructor
West-MEC School District #402
Born and raised in Harper, Kansas, Eric began his career as an automotive technician, working for a General Motors dealership after graduating from WTI in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1988. He later worked as an ASE Mechanic in Wellington, Kansas, before transitioning into welding with Koch Industries in 1990. Over 17 years with Koch—later Koch Glitsch—he earned his Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential in 2001 and traveled internationally to establish weld shops, including assignments in Vadodara, India, and Frankfurt, Germany. Eric moved into the aerospace industry around 2006, welding aircraft components before relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2007 to continue his aerospace work. He began teaching part time for West-MEC’s adult education programs and eventually transitioned into secondary education. Eric now serves as a full time welding instructor at West-MEC’s Southwest Campus in Buckeye, Arizona, where he has been dedicated to training the next generation of welders ever since.
Sessions:
[5662] FCAW Skills Development & Certification: A Two‑Day Intensive Workshop
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Pima Community College Downtown Campus
- Welding
This two-day Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) workshop provides participants with the knowledge, hands-on practice, and testing experience needed to meet industry-recognized qualification standards. Day 1 focuses on developing strong foundational skills in FCAW, including machine setup, travel speed control, electrode angle, and techniques for reducing slag inclusion, porosity, and other common weld defects. Participants will practice producing sound welds across multiple joint configurations while preparing the weld coupons needed for testing. Day 2 centers on formal evaluation and certification activities aligned with common industry and code requirements. Participants will complete required out-of-position welds—such as vertical or overhead—as needed for all‑position qualification. They will also take part in visual inspections and destructive testing processes, such as bend tests or macro-etch evaluations, conducted under the guidance of qualified inspectors. By the end of the workshop, participants will have strengthened their FCAW skills, gained insight into real-world qualification procedures, and completed the steps necessary to earn applicable welding certifications.
