Welding Technology

As infrastructure ages throughout the country, demand for welders is expected to continue to grow. Welding technician jobs exist in nearly all manufacturing, construction, repair, and processing industries.

Welding

Welding

Welding

Download the Welding Tool List (pdf)

Centralia College offers three distinct tracks - a two-year associate degree program and two shorter-term welding certificate programs.

The Welding program prepares students for advanced welding skills in Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or Stick) welding.

Students will also have the opportunity to gain the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) Welding Certification.

The Welding Technology program prepares students to compete for jobs as entry-level welders in building trades, ship building, structural fabrication, automatic and semiautomatic welding, and in maintenance welding.

Associate Degree in Welding

Degree: Associate in Technical Arts
Emphasis: Welding Technology
Total Credits: 99

Note for Students: A GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in any previous WELD classes to continue enrollment each quarter.

First year Certificate of Proficiency - Industrial Trades
Fall Quarter
  • TRDS 100 Industrial Safety - 5 credits
  • TRDS 110 Mechanical Systems Lab - 2 credits
  • TRDS 120 Mechanical Systems - 3 credits
  • HR 101 Human Relations 101 - 2 credits
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I OR WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace - 5 credits
Winter Quarter
  • TRDS 130 Fluid Systems Lab - 2 credits
  • TRDS 140 Fluid Systems - 3 credits
  • TRDS 150 Print Reading - 2 credits
  • IT 117 Intro to Windows OS* - 3 credits
  • HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness** - 3 credits
Spring Quarter
  • TRDS 160 CAD for Industry - 2 credits
  • TRDS 170 Electrical Systems Lab - 2 credits
  • DET 102 Forklift* - 1 credit
  • HR 110 Human Relations in the Workplace* - 5 credits
  • TRDS 180 Electrical Systems - 3 credits
  • Welding Elective (WELD 151, 180, 181, or 182 recommended) - 5 credits

* Courses may be taken during summer quarter.

Second Year  
Fall Quarter
  • WELD 265 Advanced Arc Welding - 12 credits
  • WELD 271 Blueprint Reading - 3 credits
Winter Quarter
  • WELD 267 Advanced Gas Shield Arc Welding - 12 credits
  • HR 110 Human Relations in the Workplace - 5 credits
Spring Quarter
  • HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness - 3 credits
  • WELD 269 Advanced Fabrication - 11 credits
  • WELD 285 ARC Welding Certification ++ - 5 credits

++ Optional certification/classes

Recommended Welding Electives

WELD, 151, WELD 180, WELD 181, or WELD 182

Welding Certificate

Degree: Certificate of Proficiency
Emphasis: Welding Technology (4-quarter program)
Total Credits: 61

First year  
Fall Quarter
  • WELD 161 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) I - 6 credits
  • WELD 165 Theory of SMAW - 2 credits
  • WELD 265 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience - 6 credits
  • BTEC 191 Cooperative Work Experience Seminar - 1 credit
  • Quantitative Skills Distribution - 5 credits
Winter Quarter
  • WELD 164 FCAW/GMAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 267 FCAW/GMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience - 6 credits
  • WELD 175 Theory of FCAW/GMAW - 2 credits
  • HR 110 Human Relations in the Workplace - 5 credits
Spring Quarter
  • WELD 159 GTAW I - 6 credits
  • WELD 259 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience - 6 credits
  • WELD 195 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II - 2 credits
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition OR WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace - 5 credits
  • HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness - 3 credits

Welding Certificate (Evening)

Degree: Certificate of Completion
Emphasis: Welding (Evening)
Total Credits: 20

Complete one of the following classes per quarter. When all classes are completed (20 credits total) a Certificate of Completion will be awarded.

  • WELD 180 Oxyfuel & GTAW - 5 credits
  • WELD 181 Shielded Metal Arc Welding - 5 credits
  • WELD 182 Gas Metal Arc Welding - 5 credits
  • WELD 285 Arc Welding Certification - 5 credits

Contact

Career & Technical Education
Tech (TEC) Building, Room 114
360-623-8963
cte@centralia.edu
Chuck Hegsted
Assistant Professor
Office:  TEC 103B
360-623-8745
Email Chuck Hegsted
Zachary Peters
Associate Professor
Office:  TEC 103A
360-623-8576
Email Zachary Peters