Welding Technology

Can you take the heat?

Where would the auto, construction, ship building, or manufacturing industries be without welders? Whether it’s an M1 Abrams tank or your grandfather’s lawn mower, it can’t be built or repaired without welders.

Welding is a very hands-on skill that requires physical strength, stamina, a strong understanding of the various materials used, and most of all, a meticulous attention to detail. This program appeals to students interested in physical work, but are willing to study the theory necessary to understand the science behind the work.

Welders are in high demand in the U.S. military. If your plans after high school include military service, consider joining with welding skills already on your resume.

Of course, the demand is high in private industry as well. Some of the the companies that hire welders are metal repair shops, auto repair shops, construction companies, pipeline companies, aircraft manufacturing plants, shipyards, and marine servicing companies.

What you will do in this class

Read blueprints. Measure, cut, bend, shape, and weld to join sheets, scraps, and tubing of various metals to fabricate parts for construction and equipment repair projects and job.

Skills you will learn

Oxyacetylene, shielded metal arc, TIG, and MIG welding, blueprint reading, steel fabrication.

Tools you will use

Hand tools, cutters, grinders, oxyacetylene, shielded metal arc, TIG, and MIG welders.

Major Units of Study

Welding Safety
Construction Drawings
Rigging
Oxyfuel Cutting
Plasma Arc Cutting
Air Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging
GMAW and FCAW-Equipment
Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Metals
GTAW-Equipment

Example Job Titles

Apprentice Welder
Commercial Welder
Journeyman Welder
Certified Pipe Welder
Nuclear Welder
Fabrication Welder
Pipefitter
Production Welder

Related College Programs

Welding Engineer
WVU Parkersburg, Parkersburg, WV

Welding Technology
Bridge Valley CTC, Montgomery, WV

Industrial Maintenance Technology
WV Northern CC, Wheeling, WV