From agriculture to construction and manufacturing to aerospace, welding is involved. SWCC's welding technology program is designed to give you a sound foundation in the principles, practices, and usages of both gas and electric welding. This program offers you the education necessary to become a skilled welder.
Employers of today need employees with welding, cutting, brazing, and metal fabrication skills. During the program, you will receive training in shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, oxy-fuel welding, brazing, and flame cutting.
If you have good hand-eye coordination, enjoy working with your hands and your brain, and take satisfaction in a job well done, welding could be the career for you!
NOTE: This program is located on the Creston campus.
Awards Available
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a specialized degree that can be used for immediate entry into the workplace. Emphasis is placed on competence of applying basic principles, theories, and occupational skills. These are two-year programs.
Diploma
A diploma is awarded upon successful completion of all courses in a career and technical education program of less than two years.
Certificate
A certificate is awarded following successful completion of a select group of career courses in a four- to six-month format.
Potential Careers
- Motor sports, automotive, and auto collision careers
- Welding repair shops that work on agricultural equipment, and perform custom work
- Iron workers in the construction industry
- Manufacturing
- Fabrication welder
- Maintenance welder
With additional specialized training, you could also pursue the following:
- Aerospace
- Engineering
- Food industry
- Manufacturing
- Pipeline
- Underwater welding
Sample Courses
- IND 114 General Industry Safety
- WEL 111 Welding Blueprint Reading
- WEL 114 Introduction to Fabrication
- WEL 162 Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- WEL 225 Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding
- COM 724 Employment Communications
- CSC 110 Introduction to Computers
- WEL 224 Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- WEL 227 Advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- WEL 229 Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- WEL 139 Introduction to Oxyacetylene Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
- WEL 226 Flux Core Arc Welding
- WEL 231 Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- WEL 278 Advanced Welding Blueprint Reading and Design
- MFG 336 CNC Plasma Operations
- WEL 264 Repair Welding and Advanced Fabrication
- WEL 800 Welding Capstone
Click on the course number in the list above to view the course description. This may not be a complete list of courses that may be included for the Welding Technology program. To see all courses in a semester-by-semester plan, view the Welding Technology program course outline.
Degree requirement advising sheet
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- practice safety procedures when working with hot work and the equipment used in the welding career field.
- use blueprints and weld symbols to fabricate welding projects according to the information given on the print.
- set-up, maintain, operate, and troubleshoot; oxyacetylene equipment, shielded metal arc welders, gas metal arc welders, and gas tungsten arc welders to perform quality, competent welds on various thicknesses and types of metals.
- operate welding equipment to make quality welds on the basic weld fit-ups, in all of the welding positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead).
- set-up and use the correct techniques and procedures for structural welding qualification, on all thicknesses, in all positions.
- develop a basic understanding of the employment process and the ability to conduct an effective job search.
- demonstrate effective business communication techniques.