Did you know a highly skilled welder can earn the salary of a doctor or a lawyer? Welding is one of the very few skills that can earn you a six figure income without a college degree. Highly skilled welders that are willing to travel and/or work in hazardous conditions can earn well over $100,000.00 a year!

Students are instructed on the safe use of the oxy-acetylene welding for mild steel in all positions and joints. The use of the hand held and automatic burning torch is included in this section. Arc welding is taught using proper electrode selection for all joints and positions. The four position guided bend test for plate is stressed along with using live work whenever possible. Instruction is given in basic blueprint reading for all first year students. Advanced students use drawings alone with live work where complete assemblies are fabricated.

Mig welding in all joints and positions is part of the instruction for second year students. Students are also required to use Tig welding on mild steel, stainless and aluminum in all positions. Instruction on the safe use of related hand held and stationary tools that are used in a welding shop are included for both first year and second year students.

In order to enroll in a Welding course a student should first consult with Mr. Lewis, the high school counselor about the options that are available. A student could also consult the program of studies. The program of studies outlines the courses that are available, the grades that are appropriate for each course, and the prerequisites for each course.

 

480501 Cutting Processes

480522 Gas Metal Arc Welding

480521 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

480528 SMAW Groove Welds with Backing Lab

480501 Cutting Processes: Students will obtain a working knowledge of various cutting processes used by the welding industry. Skills will include, but are not limited to, safety, theory of operation, setup and operating techniques, troubleshooting, and making minor equipment repairs, terms and definitions, identification, evaluation, repair and prevention of discontinuities of cut surfaces. Also included are oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, exothermic cutting, air carbon arc cutting, shielded metal arc cutting, and mechanical cutting processes.

480522 Gas Metal Arc Welding: This course covers identification, inspection, and maintenance of GMAW machines; identification, selection and storage of GMAW electrodes; principles of GMAW; and the effects of variables on the GMAW process. Theory and applications of related processes such as FCAW and SAW and metallurgy are also included. Students learn the practical application and manipulative skills of Gas Metal Arc Welding and the proper safety situations needed in this process. Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals will be covered, as well as various joint designs on plate in all positions.

480521 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): Students learn the identification, inspection, and maintenance of SMAW electrodes; principles of SMAW; the effects of variables on the SMAW process to weld plate and pipe; and metallurgy.

480528 SMAW Groove Welds with Backing Lab: Students will acquire the manipulative skills to do groove welds in all positions with backing. Prerequisites: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) - 480521 or Consent of Instructor