Welding Technology

Program available at/via: [Walla Walla] [Clarkston] [Corrections Education - CRCC & WSP]

Department Overview: Welding Technology offers a certified, state-of-the-art welding facility complemented by certified welding instructors. Students train and learn to meet the current certification requirements of manufacturing and construction industries and exploring many career alternatives related to the welding industry. The program’s technical training complies with American Welding Society (AWS) S.E.N.S.E. standards, increases the students’ understanding of welding and the related science, meets employers’ expectations, and increases the students’ ability to compete in the employment marketplace. Training includes oxyacetylene cutting and welding, brazing, soldering, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, blueprint/layout standards and methods, welding procedure specifications, testing methods, quality control, metallurgy, and safe work practices. Welder certifications are conducted according to AWS/ASME and WABO (Washington Association of Building Officials) standards. Process certifications are available and include plate and pipe welding using shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored, and gas tungsten arc welding. The Welding Technology curriculum is reviewed by an advisory board composed of local and regional industry members.

Program Level Outcomes:

Assure the Welding program is in full compliance with AWS/WABO standards and the needs of the metals welding industry.
Upgrade welding curriculum relevance to employer technical needs in the region with assistance from the advisory committee.
Enhance student enrollment, retention, and completion rates.
Train students to be employed at an entry level by possessing knowledge, attitudes, skills, and habits required to perform welding operations.

Degrees: Students may earn an Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology upon completion of the second year of instruction. To demonstrate welding proficiencies, students must pass certification tests prior to completion. Welding certifications include plate and pipe welding using shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and gas tungsten arc welding processes. To meet the degree requirements, welding students must become certified in at least two processes, with at least one according to WABO Standards. A Welding Technology certificate is available upon completion of three specific welding courses and related instruction during the first year of instruction in the program.

Industry Description: Welding is a joining process that produces coalescence of metals by heating them to the welding temperature forming a permanent connection. Due to the strength of this connection, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding is also used in the construction of buildings, bridges, pipelines, power plants, and refineries. Due to the wide variety of applications, welders utilize many types of welding processes: i.e. SMAW (Arc), GTAW (Tig), GMAW (Mig) and OAW/C (Gas), as well as soldering and brazing. The demand for qualified welders is increasing steadily as the industry strengthens certification requirements and improves construction standards.

Entrance Requirements: It is recommended that the student contact the lead instructor regarding appropriate program placement and to determine specific quarter start in the program. Students may enter the program fall, winter or spring quarter. In order to start this program, the placement process must be completed through the Testing Center. Visit wwcc.edu/placement for more information.

Other Information: For additional information including regional employment data, completion rates, student characteristics, and employment see http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov.

Courses

Welding Technology