Matthew Del Vacchio fabricating promising future with Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions Welding Program ‣ Laurel Ridge Community College
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Matthew Del Vacchio fabricating promising future with Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions Welding Program

Matthew Del Vacchio welds a metal workpiece while wearing a black 1740 Series welding helmet lowered over his face and a navy flame-resistant jacket. He grips a TIG welding torch with white Vulcan Defender leather gloves, producing a bright electric arc and blue-purple glow. The workpiece is clamped in a welding fixture with a red-handled magnet on a metal workbench, with a yellow DeWalt angle grinder and other tools in the background against a blue booth wall.
Matthew Del Vacchio putting his skills to work in class.

Matthew Del Vacchio wasn’t sure what his future would hold when he graduated from Gainesville High School in 2025.

He had been accepted into engineering programs at multiple universities, including Manhattan University, Virginia Military Institute and Pennsylvania College of Technology.

“I was originally researching four-year and community colleges, then came across Laurel Ridge while looking for a highly-respected welding program,” said Del Vacchio, who has always had a knack for working with his hands.

That led to his enrolling in the Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions’ Welding program in September 2025.

Thanks to FastForward grant funding from the state, a Mike Rowe Scholarship, and American Welding Society scholarships, the majority of Del Vacchio’s tuition costs have been covered, allowing him to complete additional courses, such as the Heavy Equipment Operator program, which he is due to finish in October.

He will complete the Welding program in September.

Matthew Del Vacchio stands smiling in a welding booth, wearing a black Lincoln welding helmet flipped up on his head, clear safety glasses, and wireless earbuds. He wears a navy Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions welding jacket over blue jeans and holds a TIG torch with white Vulcan Defender leather gloves. Behind him is a blue equipment panel with an "avani environmental" logo, a metal workbench with clamps and tools, and a blue Miller welding machine to his left.

Matthew Del Vacchio received several scholarships and state funding.

“My ultimate goal really is to become a better welder, learn the trades, and get these skills under my belt,” said Del Vacchio. “I just want to be the best I can at welding itself.”

Each of the Welding classes he has taken – Stick, Mig, Tig and Flux – have all been enjoyable and presented their own sets of challenges, Del Vacchio said. He even recently volunteered to help one of the college’s Plumbing instructors by building a pipe rack with one of the Welding teachers.

“I just really want to stress that my time at Laurel Ridge has been extremely positive thanks to the classes they offer, the quality of the instructors and the caring staff that really goes above and beyond for their students,” said Del Vacchio, who works part time for a landscaping company. “This has helped make my transition from high school to college much easier and has encouraged me to want to take more classes with the college as well.”

Whether it be a future job with the local Steamfitters union, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, or a local fabrication or structural company, the road ahead for Del Vacchio is paved with many options. He said he can see himself coming back to Laurel Ridge for more classes.

He is especially interested in earning his CDL license and in taking electrical classes.

“Once you learn these trades, it’s something you can keep with you, and these skills are always needed,” he said.

Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.