The Welding & Fabrication Instructors, Lorin Burrows and John Passiglia, are developing a top quality program that is current with the needs of the business community, driven to best serve the educational experience of students, and guided by the Massachusetts frameworks.
The shop features many new improvements including a cnc plasma cutting table slip roll and our six axis welding robot.
Instructor
Welding and Metal Fabrication
413-863-9561, ext. 260
lburrows@fcts.us
A native of Sutton, MA, Lorin graduated in 1987 from Blackstone Valley Regional Technical Vocational High School where he was in the metal fabrication program. He then attended a two-year welding technology program at Worcester Industrial Technical Institute, graduating in 1989 with multiple pipe and structural steel certifications and a degree in mechanical engineering.
Following his graduation, Lorin began working for the General Electric Company’s steam turbine division and received extensive welding training. His duties included 100% x-ray pipe welding on navy propulsion systems for destroyers, aircraft carriers, and the nuclear powered Sea Wolf submarines. He worked at GE until the company consolidated and downsized in 1998.
In 1998, Lorin founded his own company in Holden MA. G&L Welding was a reputable business for over 25 years. His company performed custom fabrication along with stainless steel food processing work and all forms of pipe welding.
Lorin is a licensed pipe-fitter and sheet metal mechanic, and holds certifications for pipe and structural steel. He became interested in teaching and started by substituting at Worcester Technical High School and Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton.
He has taught in the Franklin County Technical School’s Welding and Metal Fabrication Program since September 2014.
Instructor
Welding and Metal Fabrication
413-863-9561, ext. 260
jpassiglia@fcts.us
John Passiglia grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Joel Barlow High in 1988. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in metal sculpture from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and recently earned a Master of Science in industrial technology from Fitchburg State University.
“Mr. P”, as he’s known at school, has been a shop teacher for the past 15 years, and started at Franklin County Technical School in September 2018. Over the years he has also taught wood and metal shop, CAD, blacksmithing, engineering design, and blueprint reading for Greenfield Community College's Foundations of Manufacturing course.
John has been metalworking for over 25 years in various metal fabrication shops. He also runs a blacksmithing business, Pierce Street Ironworks, in Greenfield, MA, specializing in custom forged wrought iron. John is very involved with local industrial history and serves as chairman of the City of Greenfield Historical Commission.
As an Eagle Scout, Mr. P is currently assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 5 in Greenfield where he shares his blacksmithing skills with young learners.
John lives locally with his wife and two children.
