Welding Technology
This program allows students the opportunity to learn entry-level welding skills. Upon completion of the second year they will have the opportunity to earn (through AWS Module Exams passed at a minimum of 75%) an American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Level I – Entry-Level Welder Certification, as well as up to two AWS D1.1 Structural Code Certifications.
Units of study include Blueprint reading, Thermal cutting which include Oxy-fuel, Plasma and Air Carbon Arc Gouging, SMAW - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick/Arc), GMAW - Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), GTAW - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), FCAW – Flux Cored Arc Welding, Basic CAD programming for CNC Plasma table, welding with engine driven welding machines, Confined Space training, Tube and Pipe bending, and Basic Pipe Fitting experience.
Projects
Demonstrate proper use of welding hand tools and powered equipment tools
All position Overlapping beads using the SMAW, GMAW and FCAW processes
All position Fillet welds using the SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW processes
All position Groove welds using the SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW processes
Thermal cutting; including Oxy-fuel, Plasma Arc and Air Carbon Arc Gouging
Reading and drawing shop/blueprints
Bidding and estimating projects
Building specialty/custom customer repair and projects
Basic Pipe Fitting experience
Equipment
Hand and Track Oxy-fuel torches
Hypertherm Plasma Cutting Machines
Precision TIG 225 -- Stick and Tig Welding Machine
Power MIG 256 – Mig/Flux Cored Welding Machine
“Red Face” SA-200 Pipeliner Welding Machine
Baileigh 50 ton Iron Worker Shear/Punch
Certification
The Welding Technology program is designed to be as close to the “real world” as possible. This means that after a student completes the program that they will have the opportunity to earn two AWS D1.1 Structural Code Certifications (using the SMAW and FCAW Processes), AWS SENSE Level I –Entry-Level Welder Certification, OSHA 10 Hour Safety Certification. The goal for having a student earn these certifications is so that they are “job ready” upon graduation.
Post-secondary
Once you graduate you may believe that the education process stops. This is not correct; throughout the rest of your life you should strive to continue learning something every day. A few options upon graduation that you will explore, through a school visit or a representative visiting NRTC, are:
Missouri Welding Institute – short 4½ month program
Midwest Technical Institute -- 7 to 9 month programs
Ranken Technical College – 9 month program
Crowder College -- 4 to 8 months
Careers
An NRTC Welding Technology 2nd year graduate should be able to obtain an entry-level welding job at any fabrication shop in the area. Here are a few options for employment that students have available to them upon graduation.
Entry-level Welding Position $9–15 per hour, $18,000-30,000 per year
Self-employed Welding/Fabrication Business $15-45 per hour, $30,000–90,000 per year
Iron Worker* $50,000 per year+
Boilermaker* $55,000 per year+
Pipe fitter* $60,000 per year+
Welding Inspector $75,000 + per year
* - requires 3-5 year apprenticeship
