Welding

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

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.

Career Possibilities

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 Education Plan

Associate Degree in Welding

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Emphasis: Welding Technology
Total Credits: 90-94

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

First Year
Fall Quarter	TRDS 101 College & Career Success for Trades - 3 credits TRDS 100 Industrial Safety - 5 credits TRDS 120 Mechanical Systems - 5 credits IT 117 Intro to Windows OS* OR BTEC 114 Excel I** - 3-5 credits
Winter Quarter	TRDS 140 Fluid Systems - 5 credits TRDS 180 Electrical Systems - 5 credits HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness* - 3 credits
Spring Quarter	BTEC 191 Work Experience Seminar - 1 credit DET 102 Forklift* - 1 credit ENGL& 101 English Composition I* OR WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace* - 5 credits Welding Program Electives*** - 12-14 credits

Second Year
Fall Quarter	WELD 165 SMAW Theory - 2 credits WELD 161 SMAW I - 6 credits WELD 265 SMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience**** - 6 credits
Winter Quarter	WELD 175 FCAW/GMAW Theory - 2 credits WELD 164 FCAW/GMAW I - 6 credits WELD 267 FCAW/GMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience**** - 6 credits
Spring Quarter	WELD 195 GTAW Theory - 2 credits WELD 159 GTAW I - 6 credits WELD 259 GTAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience**** - 11 credits

* Completion is required but may be completed during any quarter.

** Suggested for AAS ERA students

*** Welding program electives: TRDS 150, TRDS 160, WELD 151, 180, 181, or 182

*** WELD 190 available any quarter, may take up to 12 credits

Welding Certificate Education Plan

Welding Certificate

Degree: Certificate of Proficiency
Emphasis: Welding Technology (4-quarter program)
Total Credits: 59

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

First year
Fall Quarter	WELD 165 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Theory - 2 credits WELD 161 SMAW I - 6 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 COLL 100 College & Career Success for Trades - 3 credits
Winter Quarter	WELD 175 FCAW/GMAW Theory - 2 credits WELD 164 FCAW/GMAW I - 6 credits WELD 267 FCAW/GMAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience** - 6 credits Quantitative Skills Distribution* - 5 credits
Spring Quarter	WELD 195 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Theory - 2 credits WELD 159 GTAW I - 6 credits WELD 259 GTAW II OR WELD 190 Cooperative Work Experience** - 6 credits ENGL& 101 English Composition I* OR WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace* - 5 credits HLTH 145 Safety & Fitness* - 3 credits

* Completion is required but may be completed during any quarter.

** WELD 190 available any quarter, may take up to 12 credits

Evening Program -Welding Certificate Education Plan

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