Since Lincoln Electric introduced U/LINC, we have fielded many questions about this curriculum. We’re answering the three most common questions here:

1. Who developed U/LINC curriculum? U/LINC was developed with input from a diverse team of welding and education experts. Lincoln Electric tasked 35 independent instructors at high schools, career centers and community colleges around the U.S. with developing specific areas of welding training content. Through expert research and advice from curriculum experts at Texas A&M and the University of Missouri, U/LINC was born. 
2. Is U/LINC a catchy term for an online course in welding? U/LINC was developed because so many instructors were great welders, but had difficulty teaching their craft to students. Welders are the experts; U/LINC is just adding the classroom framework. Focus Areas Include: Classroom Instruction, Laboratory Instruction, and eLearning Modules. Welding is a hands-on subject. Because of this, U/LINC is more than an online class; it is a tool for flipped classrooms, allowing instructors (with field knowledge) to take their instruction further with structured lessons, real world insight, and context questions.
3. Does U/LINC only cover welding, or does it delve into other career opportunities? More than welding, U/LINC shares insight into the following career pathways:

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Automation
• Production Welding

 
As a welding expert, we would like your input – sign up for a 30 day free trial and tell us what you think. Would adding structured curriculum help your program succeed? 

​Consider this student: Abby is an agriculture student who was raised on a family farm. She sees her dad struggle with the same piece of equipment year after year. She thinks she has a simple solution. Her school has a Makerspace, and she has printed a part in 3D that she thinks will solve the problem. She has talked with her instructor about sharing the same design to other local farmers that have the same issue as her dad.
 
Is Abby ready for an Entrepreneurship course?
 
Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. While Abby is looking for a simple solution to a recurring problem, and is looking to share her solution with others. She has the shades of being a developing Entrepreneur.
 
Entrepreneurship coursework used to live in the Business departments almost exclusively. As we deepen our understanding about how entrepreneurs views obstacles, assess risk, develop solutions, innovate and solve problems, we are beginning to realize that Entrepreneurship coursework can benefit not only business students, but also agriculture students, engineering students, design students…  In short, anyone who innovates and problem solves could benefit from the framework laid out in Entrepreneurship coursework.
 
Entrepreneurship coursework is designed to provide:

• Structure – successful entrepreneurs typically follow an established process from development to market.
• “Real World” Feedback – is the idea viable? Is this feasible? Cost-effective? Community and industry experts can guide students as they examine these questions.
• A safe space to Fail – every idea needs to be revised and refined. With the proper tools, students can try and fail, refine and try again in the classroom with smart tools, from CAD, 3D Printing, Robotics, and any other number of tools. Each “failure” is a critical part of the overall development process.

 
Many schools are looking to develop entrepreneurship coursework. We can help schools connect the dots with smart tools from Pitsco Education (STEM framework) and Startup Genius (Entrepreneurship).
 
Tell us: what are you looking for in an Entrepreneurship program? 

You just hired a new instructor for your welding school with years of skilled trade experience. You know they’ll be a good mentor for your students. But what does he or she know about technical instruction? Has he ever developed curriculum for a year-long program educational program? What will he teach on Day 1? Consider U/LINC™ Curriculum from Lincoln Electric – We have over 1000 lesson plans, student activities, assessments, videos and presentations covering everything from welding safety to welding engineering and everything in between. Let your instructor teach his trade – We’ll do the rest.

If you teach in an ag classroom, you know your students are as diverse as they come. Students may be drawn to agriculture because of family history or a love of animals, but what they learn in the classroom has the power to transform in ways we haven’t thought of yet. Students who study agriculture go on to careers ranging from biotechnology to machinists and engineers. No other field of study has such broad implications.
 
What do students need to master to be successful in ag-related careers? We’ve developed a list of the essential subject matter for ag students:​​

• Biotechnology – Whether a student pursues plant or animal science, they need to have an understanding of biotechnology .  Biotech has roots in veterinary medicine, pharmaceuticals, plant growth and harvest, immunology, environmental science, bioengineering, nano-technology, and food processing. The job market in ag-biotechnology is increasing and will provide career opportunities for years to come.
• Engineering and Mechanical Maintenance – whether producing or operating on equipment, it is imperative that students can maintain operational tools. Students interested in careers in agriculture often grow up on a farm, assisting with equipment maintenance. Structured training can assist students looking to innovate and/or maintain equipment.
• Welding – In conjunction with engineering and mechanical maintenance, welding is a skill ag students are happy to have mastered. A solid foundation in welding is a versatile skill.

 
What subject matter is a must-have for your agriculture education programs? Let us know in the comment section!
 
Moss can help you enhance your agriculture programs – see our Agriculture Education page for more information.