Welding Technology

Program Overview

The Welding Technology (WT) program prepares students to work as entry-level welders, fitters, or metal fabricators in a variety of industries including boat-building, construction, industrial maintenance, and manufacturing. Students study a variety of layout, fabrication, and metal joining techniques using steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Processes include oxyfuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. Instructional facilities include individual welding practice booths and a large metal fabrication area.

The Welding Program stays current with industry needs through an active Advisory Committee made up of representatives from local businesses that regularly seek our graduates for employment. SVC is accredited through the American Welding Society entry-level welder training program. SVC is also a certified Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) testing site. Students will move from theory to application to certification in all common manual and semi-automatic welding processes.

Students are required to supply various tools, protective clothing, and welding consumables. A complete list can be obtained by contacting Mary Kuebelbeck at mary.kuebelbeck@skagit.edu or 360.416.6743.

Degree and Certificate Options:

Associate in Applied Science Degree

An Associate in Applied Science Degree, AAS is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 90 credits in courses numbered 100 or above with an accumulated grade point average of 2.0. Courses must include completion of the technical major and general education requirements.Graduates of the two-year Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program become proficient in all of the common industrial welding and cutting processes used in the boatbuilding, industrial maintenance, construction, and manufacturing, industries. Students receive advanced training in diverse topics ranging from welding metallurgy to blueprint reading and weld symbols.

Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science, Planning Guide

Certificates:

A Professional Technical Certificate prepares students for entry into a technical field of employment. Certificates include completion of the technical major required courses and related instruction in communication, math, and human relation skills. To qualify for certification, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or above in all required course work.

American Welding Society Certificate

The SVC Welding program is an approved participant in the American Welding Society Entry-Level Welder Training program. Students who complete coursework requirements and pass written and performance exams will earn a certificate from the AWS (nominal fee required).

WABO Certification

The SVC Welding Program is an approved test lab for the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) welder certification program. Students completing certification or degree programs will have the opportunity to earn this important industry credential (a nominal fee is required). Special coursework is available to prepare experienced welders for this test.

Learning Outcomes:

General Education Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Welding Technology program will be able to:

Demonstrate safe and healthy welding practices.
Fabricate competently.
Weld proficiently.
Work effectively.

Program Admissions:

Please apply at Enrollment Services . Welding is a precision craft that demands good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and the ability to work in awkward positions. The ability to read English at the 8th grade level is highly recommended. Advanced standing may be requested. For more information, contact the Department Chair or Enrollment Services.

Specialized Program Information:

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Please see Academic Information for information regarding CTE.

Program Notes

The Welding Technology program offers a wide variety of classes with morning, afternoon, evening, and Saturday options. Students may choose brief skills enhancing classes, i.e. program certificates or a 2-year AAS Degree.

Work-Based Learning

Students will integrate classroom learning with work-based learning experience in Cooperative Education (WT 199 ) at a supervised work site. Department Chair approval is required. Credits and grades are based on job-hours worked, work performance, and completion of the learning objectives specified in the learning contract. Concurrent enrollment in a Cooperative Education Seminar or equivalent is required.