This program prepares students for employment as welders in the fabrication and repair industry as well as the construction industry and it provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed.

This program combines classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory experiences to teach students to weld and cut metal by the oxyacetylene and electric arc methods. Students will become knowledgeable about the shielded metal, gas metal, flux core and gas tungsten arc welding processes (Stick, MIG, Fluxcore and TIG). Students will learn techniques of metal layout and fabrication through the use of special hand tools and machines. “AWS” and “AISI” standards are used to appraise welding performance. The content includes leadership, communication skills, human relations and employability skills, and safe and efficient work practices.

This occupation has an average wage of $20.82 an hour, based on the Florida Occupational Employment and Wages for Polk County.

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program. The instructional processes, tools and materials used in this laboratory are similar to those used in industry.

The following table illustrates the program structure: 

Welding Technology

 Course #     OCP    Course Title                                                                                       Hours 
 PMT0070 A  Welder Assistant 1 150
 PMT0071    Welder Assistant 2 150
 PMT0072 B  Welder, SMAW 1 150
 PMT0073    Welder, SMAW 2 150
 PMT0074 C  Welder 450
    TOTAL HOURS 

 

1050

Occupational Completion Points (OCPs)

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of three Occupational Completion Points. OCPs provide a student with early completion training options linked to employment opportunities established by the Florida Department of Education based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and accepted industry titles.

Dual Enrollment Credit

At the completion of each postsecondary course, the dual enrolled student receives credit posted to his or her secondary school record. Every 75 hours of postsecondary course work equates to 0.5 elective credit. 

Admission Requirements

This program is available for adult and dual enrolled high school students who are 16 years of age or older, who are interested in Technical College education for employment purposes and/or continuing their education at a postsecondary education institution. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis following a Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) assessment, if applicable, and an interview with a Counselor at Traviss. Students must be able to attend school regularly and to participate satisfactorily in the activities of this program.

Licensure/Certification

After successfully completing this program, students are eligible to test for the American Welding Society (AWS) certification.

Ridge Technical College

7700 State Road 544
Class Times

Monday-Friday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Tuesday-Thursday
5:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Cost

FL Resident: $5,550
Non-Resident: $17,342

(863) 419-3060

Traviss Technical College

3225 Winter Lake Road
Class Times

Monday-Friday
7:30 AM - 2:00 PM

                 Cost

FL Resident: $5,625
Non-Resident: $17,417

863-499-2700