Welding and Fabrication Diploma

Why Choose Welding and Fabrication Diploma at CLC?

• The welding program is 90% hands-on with real welding experience.

• Our welding facility is one of the best in the state.

• 100% industry directed program curriculum.

• Use the American Welding Society SENSE program for student to earn entry level welding certificate (industry recognized)

• Very strong program related placement for graduates in thriving industry.

• Instructors have a strong background in welding, including car and snowmobile racing.

• Advanced welding processes incorporated in the program, including automated processes.

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About the Program

CLC is a great place to start a career in Welding and Fabrication. The program instructors bring a wealth of industry experience and professionalism to the welding and fabrication program. The welding and fabrication lab is state-of-the-art. The area is spacious, clean and well-ventilated and features the latest equipment for a superior training environment.

At CLC, students are prepared with welding and fabrication techniques which elevate their skill set above the average student. CLC students develop skills in welding processes, cutting processes, metallurgy, fabrication, blueprint reading, and math. Potential earnings are above average in welding and fabrication. See for yourself. Take a campus tour of the welding lab and meet our instructors.

Program Information

Program Course Requirements

WELDING & FABRICATION DIPLOMA

Program Course Requirements

Fall Semester

WELD 1100 Introduction to Welding (2 credits)

WELD 1101 Shielded Metal ARC Welding I (2 credits)

WELD 1111 Blueprint Reading I (2 credits)

WELD 1115 Gas Tungsten ARC Welding I (2 credits)

WELD 1117 Gas Metal ARC Welding I (2 credits)

WELD 1140 Welding Trade Knowledge (4 credits)

WELD 1160 Welding Theory (4 credits)

TOTAL – 18 credits

Spring Semester

CCST 1530 Employment Strategies (3 credits)

WELD 1102* Shielded Metal ARC Welding II (3 credits)

WELD 1112* Blueprint Reading II (Welding Systems) (2 credits)

WELD 1116* Gas Tungsten ARC Welding II (3 credits)

WELD 1118* Gas Metal ARC Welding II (3 credits)

WELD 1150* Advanced Metal Fabrication/CNC Automation (4 credits)

TOTAL – 18 credits

Summer Session

WELD 1113* Blueprint Reading III (CAD Systems) (2 credits)

WELD 1120* Fabrication Design and Construction (4 credits)

WELD 1134* Welding Qualification (3 credits)

TOTAL – 9 credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 45 credits

*Denotes Prerequisites

Program Planning Form

Click here to download the Welding & Fabrication Diploma Program Planning Form (PDF)

Detailed Program Information

Career Description: Welding Program students will prepare for careers in the construction, pipe line, metal fabrication, manufacturing, repair, and specialty/custom job fields. Jobs that utilize arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux core, TIG, oxyacetylene cutting, plasma cutting, and general fabrication are examples of the choices graduates will have. The welding and fabrication field is for the person that likes hands on work.

Program Information: The welding and Fabrication program consists of 10 month. The program has a total of 45 credits. The program is designed to create a foundation of skills and knowledge, allowing for a career in welding and fabrication. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take welding certification and job entry tests.

Certification: AWS Entry Level Welder

Career Opportunities: Graduates have found employment in a wide variety of occupations, ranging from pipe welding in construction projects to opportunities in manufacturing.

Career Titles: Examples of career titles for this field are production welder, welder fabrication person, metal fabrication person, shop foreman in fabrication, welding shop foreman, welding shop owner or manager, welding supply salesperson, and welding product salesperson.

Advisory Board: This program utilizes an industry driven advisory board.

Program Outcomes

Program Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to:

Apply proper industry safety standards;
Apply welding and cutting safety procedures;
Identify proper welding consumables and fluxes for a selected process;
Perform a variety of welding processes using appropriate equipment and setup procedures and for GMAW, SMAW, GTAW, and OAW;
Apply principles of basic welding fundamentals, symbols, blueprints and welding metallurgy;
Design and execute fabrication projects to specifications;
Read and interpret fabrication blueprints and drawings; and
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.

Transfer Opportunities

Transfer Opportunities: Some welding courses can be transferred to a variety of the four-year colleges. Because each college has its own requirements, check with a counselor about transferability.

Instructors

David Otto
David Otto is a 2001 graduate with a Welding and Manufacturing Diploma from CLC. David worked for Graphics Packaging INC. in Crosby, MN as a welder, machinist, and assembler, fabricating large automated packaging machines. David then followed his passion for snowmobiles and racing while working as a chief mechanic on the factory Arctic Cat professional snowmobile race team in Thief River Falls, MN He also worked for Carlson Motorsports in Elk River, MN as chief mechanic for their race team until 2013. David also maintains his own fabrication shop at home. He started teaching at CLC in the Fall of 2013. Email David for more information

Paul Jillson
Paul Jillson is a 1997 graduate with a Welding and Fabrication Diploma from CLC. Paul worked for Dane Engineering as the Foreman of the welding/fabrication department. Dane Engineering is a leading manufacturer of automated industrial equipment. Paul has a strong passion for the industrial arts and brings many years of experience to the program. He specializes in the state of the art Pulsed Mig welding process and CNC plasma/oxy-fuel cutting. Email Paul for more information

Student Testimonials

Stephanie

Fort Worth, TX
GE Locomotive Technology Welder, Cab Assembly Team CLC Welding and Fabrication Grad 2013
The Welding and Fabrication program at Central Lakes College is great! When I started the welding program I had no experience in welding, and I was a little unsure if was right for me. After a short time I realized that I had no need to worry. The instructors were great, and if I needed help or had any questions, they were always willing to help me. The classes were very informational, and there was a good mixture of classroom and hands-on applications. The successful completion of the program equips and prepares you for today’s job market.

Shawn

Reno, Nevada
Current Student, CLC Welding & Fabrication
I chose Central Lakes College welding program over many other similar programs because I felt I was going to receive the biggest bang for my buck! I have looked at many other schools all over the country, but they all seemed to be lacking in areas that CLC excelled. My selection was also based on the fact that the welding program offered accredited training certificates above my diploma and AAS degree. And the cost was far less than other tech schools. During my first semester I began to realize how much students are encouraged to utilize their time and excel at their own pace. The staff is very supportive and it feels like a family based program. I have come to love CLC because of the atmosphere, staff, and opportunities available to me as a student. The program is about 80% hands-on and we were welding the first day of class. I have not seen that at other schools. If you are looking for a school with a comfortable and relaxed learning environment and excellent hands on welding program, CLC Welding & Fabrication is the program for you!

Beau J.

“That awesome moment when you find out the new guy who was just hired went to the same welding school and had the same awesome instructor.”

Eric V.

“I was very satisfied with the program. I thought it was great that we learned all the processes and I enjoyed the trade knowledge part of the course. Overall I was very impressed with the course and I’m glad that I decided to go to CLC. You guys taught me so much in such a short 10 months.”

Jordan J.

“I’m doing really well! I got a job at a machine shop that makes medical equipment and food grade items. I look forward to going to work everyday because it’s so much fun. Thank you for being an outstanding teacher and giving me the skills I need to succeed in the welding field. I’m truly glad I chose CLC for school and couldn’t be more happy with the outcome!”

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html

Gainful Employment – Welding and Fabrication Diploma