Welding Technology - Structural Fabrication, Aluminum, Pipe
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Potential Positions
Welders are employed in various areas of business and industry that require working with different types of metal for either manufacturing, repair, or cutting. Nationally, nine out of ten welders and cutters are employed in manufacturing, services, construction, or wholesale trade Places of employment include sheet metal fabrication companies, energy service companies, steel manufacturing companies, refineries, fence and iron companies, transportation, heating and plumbing companies, various unions, federal, state and municipal government, and self-employment. Potential positions include welder, cutter, welding machine tender, welding machine operator, foreman, and leadman.
Employment Outlook
Employment opportunities for welders are expected to grow 1% through the year 2012. Employment opportunities for welders, cutters, and welding machine operators differ by occupational specialty. Within 9 months after graduation, the estimated employment rate for the Welding Technology program is 82%. The graduate starting median wage is $16.63 with a wage potential of $22.28.
*Graduate wages and placement obtained from SBCTC/WA unemployment files from 2004-05. Wage potential is based out of Whatcom County and obtained from LMEA. For further information, contact the Counseling & Career Center at 360-752-8450.
Typical Tasks
Specific tasks typically required of a welder include:
Using hand-welding and flame-cutting equipment, such as arc welders, gas welders, and gas torches, to weld together metal components of such products as pipelines, automobiles, boilers, and ships; to join together components of fabricated sheet metal assemblies; or to cut, trim, or scarf metal objects to dimensions, as specified by layout, work orders, or blue prints;
Reading drawings and blueprints and making rough drawings;
Planning work from drawings or specifications and by analyzing damaged metal parts;
Selecting and setting up welding equipment and examining welds to insure they meet standards or specifications;
Using knowledge to determine which machine to use for each welding process;
Using power and hand tools for fabrication of parts; and
Using knowledge of metallurgy (the science and technology of metals) to match compatible metals.
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This program typically starts in Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters
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