Advanced Welding Technology

Student Success

Overview

Now is the time to enroll in the state-of-the-art welding program at WMCC.  Our knowledgeable faculty provide students with the skills and expertise necessary to achieve the American Welding Society (AWS) certification in multiple processes.  Our one-year program has over 30 industry partners ready to hire graduates, which is especially important considering the AWS predicts a 400,000 shortage of skilled welders by 2024.

Certifications

The Advanced Welding certificate provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve American Welding Society (AWS) industry-recognized certifications in multiple processes. Through a combination of classroom-based theory and hands-on laboratory training, students learn the applications of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). In addition, they learn the skills necessary for employment in today’s welding industry, including those associated with safety, blueprint reading, and practical application. This certificate devotes additional time to preparing students for the D1.5 and D1.1 Structural Steel Unlimited Certifications in all positions for the FCAW and SMAW processes.  The certificate allows students to transfer credits into the Associate in Science degree in Trades Management and fulfills all prerequisites for the Pipe Welding certificate. 

Health/Safety Considerations for All Welding Programs

Welding students must not place in jeopardy fellow students, faculty, and equipment. In the welding lab, students must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses and changing circumstances that are inherent in a lab of this size, or they will be removed from the program. Applicants should be aware of the basic health and fitness requirements to pursue various careers in the welding industry.  Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their eligibility for employment should discuss their career goals with the program coordinator prior to admission.

Furthermore, students are expected to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from faculty members, and work for reasonable periods of time with potentially dangerous equipment and processes without direct supervision.  These expectations include an ability to identify and avoid potential safety risks to themselves and to avoid creating potential safety risks to others.

Students majoring in programs of study other than welding may take Introduction to Wire Fed Welding and Cutting Processes (WELD 213W) or Introduction to Arc Welding and Cutting Processes (WELD 214W) as exploratory welding courses on a space-available basis.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be prepared to:

• Evaluate potential hazards and apply procedures to maintain workplace safety; demonstrate appropriate safe work habits when operating oxy fuel, plasma and electric welding equipment and function safely in a welding environment.
• Select and operate tools and equipment to support welding and related activities.
• Read and interpret basic blueprints and welding symbols to fabricate components.
• Perform Shielded Metal Arc Welding to industry standards and pass the AWS D1.1 Structural Unlimited Certifications.
• Perform Gas Metal Arc Welding to industry standards.
• Perform Flux Core Welding to industry standards and pass the AWS D1.1 Structural Unlimited Certifications.
• Perform Gas Tungsten Arc Welding to industry standards and pass the AWS Aluminum Aerospace Certification.
• Perform Oxy and Plasma cutting to industry standards.
• Prioritize work assignments and use time management skills effectively.
• Apply problem solving and decision making skills to overcome obstacles in completing objectives.
• Demonstrate the ability to inspect the weld joint – before, after and during welding.
• Evaluate work quality and generate recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Apply basic math and measurement.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Be successfully employed in the field.
• Demonstrate technical understanding and skills to the satisfaction of their employers.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical work behavior.