Welding and Fabrication Diploma

Program Description

The Welding and Fabrication program is designed to create a foundation of skills and knowledge, leading to a career in welding and fabrication. Instructors bring a wealth of industry experience and professionalism to the program. The welding lab is state-of-the-art, and the area is spacious, clean and well-ventilated, and features the latest equipment for a superior training environment. At CLC, welding students are prepared with techniques that will elevate their skill set above the average student. CLC students develop skills in welding processes, cutting processes, metallurgy, fabrication, blueprint reading, and math. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take welding certification and job entry tests.

Program Outcomes

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
• 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.

Career Opportunities

Upon graduation, welding students will be prepared 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 available to graduates. The welding and fabrication field is ideal for the person who likes hands on work. Common career titles include 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.

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 an advisor about transferability.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:
1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: Cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

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
Salary information from indeed.com

From the Brainerd Dispatch: CLC students earn top spots in welding competition

CLC “Women in Welding” Lakeland PTV News

CLC Welding helps grant a wish for Minnesota child

Welding students’ work featured on new Staples hotel

Welding students build new bike rack for downtown Brainerd

No nose for this rose – Welding Club makes steel bouquets