welding.chemeketa.edu

The Welding Technology program offers several options: two career pathway certificates, a three-term Welding certificate, and a six-term Welding Fabrication AAS degree. The Arc Welding certificate and the MIG Welding certificate focus on two specialized types of welding. The Welding certificate combines training with classes in the background knowledge needed by workers in welding occupations; students practice and develop their welding skills in the laboratory and may take an examination for certification in plate welding. The Welding Fabrication degree program is for those who want to acquire the technical knowledge and skills required for workers in welding, fabrication, and related occupations.

Welding fabrication technicians are skilled in the use of oxyacetylene welding and cutting equipment, manual arc, tungsten inert gas (TIG), and metallic inert gas (MIG) processes, and have a working knowledge of shop blueprints and welding symbols, jig fabrication, and assembly processes.

The certificate of completion and career pathway certificates have been designed to be completed in one year or less and the degree program in less than two years if you attend full-time. However, there are entry-level expectations for skill levels in reading, writing, and mathematics. The length of time you take to complete the program will depend on your skills in these areas. To assess the time you will need to complete the program, please meet with the program chair.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Arc Welding career pathway certificate or the MIG Welding career pathway certificate should be able to:

• Set up and operate shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) equipment or gas metal arc welding (GMAW) equipment used in the welding/metal fabrication industry.
• Perform basic layout and fabrication skills to produce welded metal parts and products.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings to American Welding Society standards.

In addition to the Arc or MIG Welding career pathway certificate outcomes, students completing the Welding certificate should be able to:

• Set up and operate manual and semi-automatic welding and cutting equipment used in the metal fabrication industry.
• Use welding process and procedure applications.
• Apply basic metallurgy knowledge to fabrication processes.
• Perform as a team member and practice skills that reflect professional and ethical behavior in the workplace.

In addition to the certificate outcomes, students completing the Welding Fabrication degree should be able to:

• Perform basic set-ups and operations for manual and computer-numerical controlled machining equipment.
• Design and carry out planning procedures for welding purposes.
• Select and use tools and equipment to manufacture, measure, and inspect parts in a welding environment.

For admission to the program, an application is required. This is a separate step from Chemeketa’s assessment and advising steps. Applications are available online at go.chemeketa.edu/welding or at the Applied Technologies office in Building 20, Room 203 on the Salem Campus.

Enrollment in this program is limited, and there is an early deadline for applications. All applicants must attend the Welding Technology Orientation as a requirement for acceptance into the program.

We recommend that you contact the Welding Technology program chair at 503.399.6066 or mike.myers@chemeketa.edu for details if you are considering the Welding certificate or the Welding Fabrication degree.