About Us

Our mission

At AWL, our mission is to provide excellence in education and workforce development by training the next generation of skilled welders and fabricators. We are dedicated to preparing professionals to meet the industry's demands and to making quality learning accessible to all.

Meet our team

Danny Cobb

CWI-CWE/Co-Owner

Danny Cobb is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector and Educator (CWI/CWE) with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including gas-fired power plants and global drilling operations.

During his time as Manager of Welding Operations at Pruitt, a Managed Pressure Drilling Company, Danny oversaw manufacturing and inspection processes for drilling equipment and aided in the development of a quality management system adhering to API Q1/ISO 9001 standards. This experience shaped his commitment to quality, safety, and environmental standards, which he brings to AWL.

Driven by a passion for teaching, Danny transitioned to academia, serving as a Welding Instructor at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. After witnessing the high costs and unnecessary red tape often associated with welding programs at traditional colleges and universities, he co-founded AWL to deliver high-quality, affordable training that is accessible to everyone.

Danny’s extensive 30-year network with local manufacturers ensures exceptional job placement opportunities for AWL graduates. A dedicated community leader, he regularly participates in charity events and serves on multiple boards, including as Chairman of the Fort Smith Adult Education Advisory Board and a member of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District Local Workforce Board.