Welding Technology

As infrastructure ages throughout the country, demand for welders is expected to continue to grow. Welding technician jobs exist in nearly all manufacturing, construction, repair, and processing industries.

Welding

Welding

Welding

Download the Welding Tool List (pdf)

Centralia College offers three distinct tracks - a two-year associate degree program and two shorter-term welding certificate programs.

The Welding program prepares students for advanced welding skills in Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or Stick).

Students will also have the opportunity to gain the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) Welding Certification.

The Welding Technology program prepares students to compete for jobs as entry-level welders in building trades, ship building, structural fabrication, automatic and semiautomatic welding, and in maintenance welding.

Associate Degree in Welding

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Emphasis: Welding Technology
Total Credits: 90-94

Note for Students: A GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in any previous WELD classes to continue enrollment each quarter.

First Year  
Fall Quarter
  • TRDS 101 College & Career Success for Trades - 3 credits
  • TRDS 100 Industrial Safety - 5 credits
  • TRDS 120 Mechanical Systems - 5 credits
  • IT 117 Intro to Windows OS* OR BTEC 114 Excel I** - 3-5 credits
Winter Quarter
  • TRDS 140 Fluid Systems - 5 credits
  • TRDS 180 Electrical Systems - 5 credits
  • HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness* - 3 credits
Spring Quarter
  • BTEC 191 Work Experience Seminar - 1 credit
  • DET 102 Forklift* - 1 credit
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I* OR WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace* - 5 credits
  • Welding Program Electives*** - 12-14 credits
Second Year  
Fall Quarter
  • WELD 165 SMAW Theory - 2 credits
  • WELD 161 SMAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 265 SMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience**** - 6 credits
Winter Quarter
  • WELD 175 FCAW/GMAW Theory - 2 credits
  • WELD 164 FCAW/GMAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 267 FCAW/GMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience**** - 6 credits
Spring Quarter
  • WELD 195 GTAW Theory - 2 credits
  • WELD 159 GTAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 259 GTAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience**** - 11 credits

* Completion is required but may be completed during any quarter.

** Suggested for AAS ERA students

*** Welding program electives: TRDS 150, TRDS 160, WELD 151, 180, 181, or 182

*** WELD 190 available any quarter, may take up to 12 credits

Welding Certificate

Degree: Certificate of Proficiency
Emphasis: Welding Technology (4-quarter program)
Total Credits: 59

Note for Students: A GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in any previous WELD classes to continue enrollment each quarter.

First year  
Fall Quarter
  • WELD 165 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Theory - 2 credits
  • WELD 161 SMAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 265 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience** - 6 credits
  • BTEC 191 Cooperative Work Experience Seminar - 1 credit
  • COLL 100 College & Career Success for Trades - 3 credits
Winter Quarter
  • WELD 175 FCAW/GMAW Theory - 2 credits
  • WELD 164 FCAW/GMAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 267 FCAW/GMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience** - 6 credits
  • Quantitative Skills Distribution* - 5 credits
Spring Quarter
  • WELD 195 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Theory - 2 credits
  • WELD 159 GTAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 259 GTAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience** - 6 credits
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I* OR WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace* - 5 credits
  • HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness* - 3 credits

* Completion is required but may be completed during any quarter.

** WELD 190 available any quarter, may take up to 12 credits

Welding Certificate (Evening)

Degree: Certificate of Completion
Emphasis: Welding (Evening)
Total Credits: 20

Complete one of the following classes per quarter. When all classes are completed (20 credits total) a Certificate of Completion will be awarded.

  • WELD 180 Oxyfuel & GTAW - 5 credits
  • WELD 181 Shielded Metal Arc Welding - 5 credits
  • WELD 182 Gas Metal Arc Welding - 5 credits
  • WELD 285 Arc Welding Certification - 5 credits

Contact

Career & Technical Education
Tech (TEC) Building, Room 114
360-623-8963
cte@centralia.edu
Chuck Hegsted
Assistant Professor
Office:  TEC 103B
360-623-8745
Email Chuck Hegsted
Zachary Peters
Associate Professor
Office:  TEC 103A
360-623-8576
Email Zachary Peters