Welding Technology Certificate

Career Description
Skilled welding, soldering, and brazing workers generally plan work from drawings or specifications or use their knowledge of fluxes and base metals to analyze the parts to be joined. These workers then select and set up welding equipment, execute the planned welds, and examine welds to ensure that they meet standards or specifications. Some welders have limited duties and perform routine jobs that have been planned and laid out. Highly skilled welders work with a wide variety of materials in addition to steel, such as titanium, aluminum, or plastics.

Program Information
Introductory courses survey production technologies and welding fundamentals. Students use technical mathematics, computer skills, and hands-on experiences with specific welding processes. They learn welding print reading and symbol interpretation, manufacturing processes, quality control, metallurgy, maintenance, and safety.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon program completion students will be able to:

1. Gain a general knowledge of production technology processes.
2. Gain knowledge and understanding of interpreting production prints.
3. Apply technical mathematics skills to production processes.
4. Demonstrate basic computer skills.

Gain knowledge and understanding and skills related to welding print reading and interpreting symbols, following welding procedures, safety, metallurgy and mechanical properties of materials, and hands on experience with specific welding processes including oxyacetylene cutting and welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding.

Transfer Opportunities
This certificate is offered collaboratively with Northland Community & Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Pine Technical College, Riverland Community College, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, St. Paul College. Courses are transferable within all the listed colleges.

Employment Opportunities
Long-term projections indicate a high demand for replacement workers in welding-related occupations. Advanced manufacturing is considered a high demand, high-pay industry in Minnesota.

Gainful Employment (pdf)

Welding Technology, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)