Overview: Riverside Unified School District recently launched its first Welding & Fabrication Technologies program at John W. North High School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following a $61.5 million campus modernization project, more than 190 students now have access to state-of-the-art manufacturing tools and specialized training. This new pathway aims to enhance career readiness by preparing scholars for high-demand roles within the skilled trades and manufacturing industries.
Nyla Glover
John W. North High School celebrated the opening of Riverside Unified School District’s (RUSD) first Welding & Fabrication Technologies program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 6, establishing a new Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway to prepare students for high-demand careers in skilled trades.
The addition expands RUSD’s CTE portfolio to 25 unique programs and 52 individual pathways districtwide. Housed in a newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility on the John W. North campus, the classroom is equipped with eight welding stations, mills, band saws, four 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and a vacuum-forming machine.
More than 190 students are currently enrolled in the new program, which introduces them to advanced manufacturing processes, welding techniques, industry safety standards, and workforce skills. The launch restores welding instruction at John W. North High School, reviving a trade discipline previously offered at the school in the 1970s and 1980s following the completion of a $61.5 million campus modernization project in December 2025.
“This program is about expanding possibilities for our scholars,” said RUSD Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas. “Our responsibility is to provide meaningful pathways for every single scholar based on their goals and interests. This hands-on learning environment gives our scholars the opportunity to work with the technologies and equipment used in today’s skilled and manufacturing industries while developing skills and confidence they can carry into their futures.”
“This is a full-circle moment for John W. North High School, and it represents the next chapter in our commitment to preparing students for the future,” said Principal Jodi Gonzales. “Our students are eager to get started, and this new learning environment gives them the opportunity to develop technical skills and explore a career pathway that is in high demand.”
The Welding & Fabrication Technologies pathway aligns with RUSD’s 2026–2031 Strategic Plan to expand college and career readiness while building workforce partnerships. The facility was completed with support from construction partners Tilden-Coil Constructors and Ruhnau Clarke Architects.
“When we invest in our students, we are investing in their future,” said Board President Dr. Noemi Hernandez Alexander. “We are committed to preparing every student not only for their next step, but for the possibilities ahead.”