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Welders have a variety of career opportunities available to them as they can use their skills to build ships, planes, construct buildings, bridges, power plants, and work within many other manufacturing and industrial processes.
Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Welders work in a variety of industries, from car racing to manufacturing. The difficulty of the weld is determined by its position-horizontal, vertical, overhead, or 6G, circular, as in large pipes, and by the type of metals to be used. Welders and cutters may work outdoors, often in inclement weather, or indoors, sometimes in a confined area which is designed to contain sparks and glare. About 50% of welders, solderers, and brazers work 40 hours a week, overtime is common, and about 1 out of every 5 welders work 50 or more hours per week.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s Welding and Joining Technology program teaches a variety of welding processes, preparing students for successful careers in the welding industry. With their specialized skillset, welders have a variety of opportunities available to them in industries like construction, engineering, automobile, and aerospace. Welders can apply these skills to a wide variety of industrial and manufacturing processes.
Programs in the Welding & Joining Technology department can be completed between 1-5 semesters.
Job growth in this industry is anticipated to continue, but welders who possess competency in the latest technologies or who do not mind relocating are likely to see the best job prospects.
Staying abreast with the newest developments and technology is important in any field, but especially in technical industries. This will improve your chances of getting ahead in your welding career.
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Welding & Joining Technology department programs range from:
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
If you work hard and perform on the job, you may have the opportunity to advance to become a supervisor, instructor, technician or inspector.
As the construction industry looks to recruit the next generation of welders, big demand means more work, and with more work comes more opportunity. And as you progress in the craft, the more opportunities there are to climb the ladder and earn a higher income.
Campuses
Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.
Click an individual program above to find the OFTC campus where it is taught, in part or in its entirety.
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions!
Admissions Process
Your admissions application can be submitted online with your $25.00 non-refundable application fee and takes just a few minutes to complete.
NOTE: The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy. |
General Requirements
Additional admissions requirements unique to each program are listed on each individual program page in the OFTC Catalog Need More Info?
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Students can enter a Welding and Joining Technology program any semester — because when you are ready to start on the path to a new career and change your life, there’s no reason to wait.
Classes are offered in a variety of formats: on campus, blended, online asynchronous, and synchronous technology.
These are courses that are taught primarily in the classroom or lab with less than 50% of instruction online. On campus courses may include lecture, labs, internships, clinicals, and other in-person instructional modalities.
Blended courses are distance learning courses with the majority of the course content, activities, and interactions occurring online but may require students to come to campus for specific assignments, activities, or events.
These are courses that are taught fully online asynchronously with course content, activities, and interactions occurring entirely online. This delivery method does not require students to be online at a specific date or time, and students may participate in class activities and complete course assignments asynchronously. Online asynchronous courses require proctored events.
OFTC also utilizes synchronous technology to offer courses via distance education means. The course is taught on one campus and then broadcast simultaneously to a classroom on a different campus that is monitored by a class proctor.
We want you to get the most out of college and understand the pressure it adds to your life. At OFTC you can achieve your career goals and fit college into your lifestyle. We offer small class sizes and flexible scheduling.
Courses for our programs are offered during the morning, afternoon, and evenings – plus many are online where you can do your work any time of day.
And the personalized hands-on attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individualized support, focus and feedback from your instructors. Your instructors will get to know you and help you build the foundation and confidence needed for success in your field.
Apply TodayAt OFTC, we realize that many students require financial assistance to achieve their academic goals. We’ll work with you to help you obtain financial aid to assist you in funding your education. We’re committed to helping you find ways to pay for this life-changing investment.
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Financial Aid
OFTC offers several financial aid opportunities that can help you pay for college. Most students apply for federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship & Grant, and HOPE Career Grant.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations. Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Welding & Joining Technology department programs range from:
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get estimated net price information based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
Employment Opportunities
Employers are looking to fill positions with qualified professionals, meaning companies are willing to spend more money to get the skills they need. A welding career can lead to financial security, career advancement and important work in areas around the world.
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Welders, cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
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What does this mean to you? The American Welding Society (AWS) estimates that there will be a shortage of more than 375,000 welders by 2023. Welding is a growing career field that is extremely important for industry and construction. And with the advancements made in manufacturing technology and automation, welders are in high- demand, making welding a career with a promising future.
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