What is Welding Technology?
Welding occupations are primarily concerned with joining, surfacing, or repairing structures or parts made of metal or other weldable materials. Course work and practical experience provide students with skills and knowledge to determine and perform appropriate welding techniques.
What are my career choices?
A majority of welders work in manufacturing industries. Others are employed by construction firms and businesses performing various repair services. A skilled welder may qualify as a technician, supervisor, inspector, or as an owner of a welding business. Certified welders are among the highest paid of all the skilled trades.
Available Credentials
Associate in Applied Science
- General Occupational/Technical Studies with students plan of study in Welding Technology.
Diploma
- Combination Welder: 41-48 credit hours
Certificates
- Welder Helper: 2-5 credit hours
- Gas Welder: 4 credit hours
- Arc Cutter: 5 credit hours
- Tack Welder: 7-10 credit hours
- Production Line Welder: 19-20 credit hours
- Pipeline Welder: 29-40 credit hours
- AWS National Skills Standard Level I: 33-34 credit hours
- Shielded Metal Arc Welder: 17-18 credit hours
- Gas Metal ARC Welding: 15-18 credit hours
- Gas Tungsten ARC Welding: 17-18 credit hours
- ARC Welder: 24-25 credit hours
- Identify, inspect, and maintain Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) machines; identify, select, and store GTAW electrodes and filler rods.
- Explain the principles of GTAW and the effects of variables on the GTAW process.
- Explain the theory and application of Plasma Arc Cutting.
- Demonstrate the necessary manipulative skills needed to apply the Gas Tungsten Arc on various joint designs, on plate with both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- Identify, inspect, and maintain Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) machines; identify, select, and store GMAW electrodes.
- Explain principles of GMAW and the effects of variables on the GMAW process.
- Explain the theory and applications of GMAW and related processes such as Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) and Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) and metallurgy.
- Demonstrate the manipulative skills of Gas Metal Arc Welding on ferrous and non-ferrous metal and on joint designs on plate in all positions, including the welding of groove welds.
- Explain and read occupationally specific prints for welders and fabricate from a blueprint.
- Explain the certification process in welding.
- Test to certification standards on all types of welding.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of materials used in welding.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of oxy-fuel identification, set-up, inspection, and maintenance; including identification, selection and care, principles of operation, and effects of variables for manual and mechanized oxy-fuel cutting, welding, and brazing.
- Identify, inspect, and maintain Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) electrodes.
- Explain the principles of SMAW and the effects of variable on the SMAW process to weld plate and pipe.
- Demonstrate the manipulative skills to perform fillet welds in all positions.
- Demonstrate the manipulative skills to perform groove welds in all positions.
- Practice safety procedures for all types of welding.
Resources:
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Program Length
You can complete the Associate in Applied Science/General Occupational Technical Studies in two years as a full-time student. Diplomas and certificates can be completed in less time depending on your class load.
