Welding Technology
Program Location
Main Campus
Kimball Site
Dayton Site
Contact Us
The program involves a combination of basic welding techniques and other technical aspects of welding. Students learn basic oxyacetylene cutting and welding; shielded metal arc welding (SMAW); gas metal arc welding (GMAW); fluxcore arc welding (FCAW); and gas tungsten arc gas welding (GTAW);. Students also complete course work in mathematics and blueprint reading for welding.
Full-time day courses are available at the Main campus, Kimball campus and the Dayton Welding Lab. Evening courses are available at the Main campus.
Employment Stats
- Program Length 1 year (Diploma)
- Job Placement 90%
- Average Earnings $42,490 / yr
- Cost $5,499
About Program
The mission of the program is to provide technical instruction and skill development enabling students to find gainful employment in the welding field. Highly individualized instruction provides for both classroom instruction and practical work experience using hand tools, fabrication shop equipment and welding equipment. The major emphasis of the program is placed on safety, oxyacetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and flux core arc welding of carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Welding is detail-oriented technology. Close attention must be made in all areas of welding, cutting, metal preparation, and fabrication.
Class room and shop experiences focus on construction trades, manufacturing, and industrial welding. Students learn about safety, mathematics and print reading.
Job Expectations
Welders may work in all types of weather conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold. In addition, welders might work in awkward or cramped positions, and they are sometimes required to work in high places and confined spaces. Hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains, and other injuries from handling heavy material.
Expected Earnings
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual wage of welders is $42,490. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,470, and the top 10 percent earned more than $64,240. Wages for welders, cutters vary based on experience, skill level, industry, and company size.
Although most welders work full time, overtime is common in this occupation. Many manufacturing firms have two or three shifts each day, ranging from 8 to 12 hours, which allow the firm to continue production around the clock if needed. Therefore, welders/cutters may work evenings and weekends.
Course Schedule
Students may enroll during the fall, spring or summer term provided space is available. Students who are eligible to enroll have an opportunity to register for one of the open seats during the enrollment period for each term.
- Full-time classes
- Day and Evening classes
- Enrollment is limited to 20 students in each class
| Semester | Day Class | Evening Class | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (450 hours) | 7:45am – 2:30pm | 4:00pm – 10:45pm | Monday - Friday |
| Spring (450 hours) | 7:45am – 2:30pm | 4:00pm – 10:45pm | Monday - Friday |
| Summer (390 hours) | 7:45am – 2:45pm | 4:00pm – 11:00pm | Monday - Friday |
Tools
Tool List |
|
|---|---|
|
Quantity |
Description |
|
1 |
Tote Bag |
|
1 |
Welding Helmet and replacement lens |
|
1 |
Welding gloves |
|
1 |
Welding jacket |
|
1 |
Welders cap |
|
1 |
Work boots ( Steel or Composite Toe) |
|
1 |
Work gloves |
|
1 |
Safety glasses |
|
1 1 |
Grinding shield Torch goggles or glasses Z87 approved |
|
1 |
Chipping hammer |
|
1 |
Steel wire brush |
|
1 |
Vise grip plier |
|
1 |
25’ Steel measuring tape |
|
1 |
12” combination square |
|
1 |
Torpedo level |
|
1 |
Screw driver set (flat and Phillips) |
|
1 1 |
Allen wrench set (standard and metric) Chisel and punch set |
|
1 |
24 ounce ballpeen hammer |
|
1 |
12” Adjustable wrench |
|
1 |
Diagonal pliers |
|
1 |
Welpers pliers |
|
1 |
Linemans pliers (Side-Cutters) |
|
1 |
Flash light |
|
1 |
2% Lanthanated tungsten (1 pack 3/32 diameter) |
|
1 |
4”, 4 ½”, or 6” grinder including rocks and pads |
|
1 |
300 amp electrode holder |
|
1 |
Flat soap stone |
| 1 | #17 FV Tig Torch with handle (Flexible with Valve = FV) |
| 1 | #17 Tig Torch Accessory Kit (Cups/Collets etc.) |
| 1 | 2% Thoriated Tungsten (1 pack 3/32” diameter) |
Cost
| *Fall 450 hours | $1,483 |
| Spring 450 hours | $1,483 |
| Summer 390 hours | $1,483 |
| Tools (estimate) | $600.00 |
| Books (estimate) | $450.00 |
Special Fees Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition
- Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee will be charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
- Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00. Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
- High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
- Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)
TCAT Special Fees
Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition
- Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
- Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00. Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
- High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
- Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)
Books
- Mathematics for Welders $54.75
- NCCER CONTREN Learning Series Level One Trainee Guide $85.00
- NCCER CONTREN Learning Series Level Two Trainee Guide $123.50
- NCCER CONTREN Learning Series Level Three Trainee Guide $123.50
Curriculum
First Semester
- Course introduction, orientation to welding, shop safety and shop rules.
- Welding Safety: Identify safety equipment, protective clothing, and procedures applicable to cutting and welding of metals.
- Oxyfuel Cutting: Identify Oxyfuel cutting equipment and setup requirements. Explain how to light, adjust, and shut down Oxyfuel equipment.
- Plasma Arc Cutting: Explain plasma arc cutting equipment and safe work area preparation. Identify correct amperage, gas pressures, and flow rates.
- Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging: Describe air carbon arc cutting equipment and processes.
- Base Metal Preparation: Describe how to clean and prepare all types of base metal and joint design for cutting and welding.
- Weld Quality: Identify the codes that govern welding, weld imperfections and causes, non-destructive examination practices, visual and inspection criteria.
- SMAW- Equipment and Setup: Describe Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) safety. How to connect welding current and set up arc welding equipment.
- SMAW-Beads and Fillet Welds: Describe the setup of arc welding equipment, the process of striking an arc, how to detect and correct arc blow, how to make stringer, weave, overlapping beads, and fillet welds in the 1F,2F, 3F, and 4F positions.
- Joint Fit-up and Alignment: Describe the use of fit-up gauges and measuring devices to check fit-up and alignment.
- SMAW Groove Welds with Backing: Describe how to make Shielded Metal Arc Welds in a V-groove with backing strip.
- SMAW-Open V-Groove Welds: Describe how to make Shielded Metal Arc Welds in a V-groove open butt
Second Semester
- Shielded metal arc welding written test, safety and health of welders.
- Welding Symbols: Identify and explain the different types of fillet weld, groove weld, and nondestructive examination symbols on drawings, specifications, and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
- Reading Welding Detail Drawings: Describe lines fills object views and dimensioning on drawings.
- Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of: Explain physical characteristics, mechanical properties, composition, and classification of common ferrous and nonferrous metals.
- Preheating and Post-heating of Metals: Explain preheating, inter-pass temperature control, and Post-heating procedures to preserve weldment strength.
- GMAW and FCAW: Equipment and Filler Metals: Describe general safety procedures for Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), identify equipment and explain the filler metals and shielding gases.
- GMAW and FCAW: Plate: Describe how to make multiple-pass fillet and V-groove welds on carbon steel plate in various positions.
- GTAW: Equipment and Filler Metals: Identify and explain the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) safety and the use of filler metals, shielding gasses, and setup of GTAW equipment.
- GTAW: Plate: Explain how to make GTAW multiple-pass fillet and V-groove welds in various positions.
Third Semester
- SMAW Open Root Pipe Welds: Explain how to set up SMAW equipment for open-root V-groove welds. Explain how to prepare for and make open root V-groove welds on carbon steel pipe. Provide procedures for making open-root V-groove welds, with SMAW equipment, on pipe in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions.
- GMAW Pipe: Explain how to set up GMAW equipment for open-root V-groove welds. Explain how to prepare for and make open root V-groove welds on carbon steel pipe. Provide procedures for making open-root V-groove welds, with GMAW equipment, on pipe in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions.
- FCAW Pipe: Explain how to set up FCAW equipment for open-root V-groove welds. Explain how to prepare for and make open-root V-groove welds on carbon steel pipe. Provide procedures for making open-root V-groove welds, with FCAW equipment, on pipe in the, 2G, 5G, and 6G positions.
- GTAW Carbon Steel Pipe: Explain how to set up GTAW equipment for open root V-groove welds. Explain how to prepare for and make open-root V-groove weds on carbon steel pipe. Provide procedures for making open-root V-groove welds with GTAW equipment on pipe in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions.
- GTAW Low Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe: Explains how to set up GTAW equipment for open-root V-groove welds on low-alloy and stainless steel pipe. Explains how to prepare for and make open-root V-groove welds on low-alloy and stainless steel pipe. Provides procedures for making open-root V-groove welds, with GTAW equipment, on low-alloy and stainless steel pipe in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions.
- SMAW Stainless Steel Groove Welds: Explain stainless steel metallurgy; how to select SMAW electrodes for stainless steel welds; and how to weld different types of stainless steels. Covers safety issues associated with welding on stainless steels; how to prepare weld coupons; and how to set up SMAW equipment for welding stainless steel. Provides procedures for making open-root V-groove welds, with GTAW equipment, on stainless steel plate in the 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G positions. It also includes procedures for making open-root V-groove welds, with GTAW equipment, on stainless steel pipe in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions.