Skip to main content

Welding and Fabrication

If you want a career in a skilled trade that allows you to create things with your hands, our welding and fabrication program could be a good choice for you.

In this program, you’ll gain skills in many types of welding techniques, including shielded metal-arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding, MIG and TIG welding. You’ll also learn how to read blueprints and layout, cut and prepare materials for assembly. Your training will include hands-on practice with overhead cranes, grinders, power saws, ironworker tools, cold saws, drill presses and other equipment found in welding and fabrication shops.

Whether you want to work on construction sites, in a manufacturing plant, for a utility company or in a fabrication shop, this program prepares you for many excellent opportunities in the welding trade. Chose between the evening or daytime program to incorporate earning this certificate into your daily life.

This is a three-quarter, competency-based program. The competency-based model allows you to advance through the program at your own pace. For example, if you complete first quarter competencies before the end of the quarter, you will automatically advance to second-quarter material.

Detailed Information

This is a three-quarter, competency-based program. The competency-based model allows you to advance through the program at your own pace. For example, if you complete first quarter competencies before the end of the quarter, you will automatically advance to second-quarter material.

  1. Specific skills and related knowledge in shielded metal arc welding, gas metallic arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and flux core arc welding.
  2. Specific skills and related knowledge in the set-up and usage of the following power equipment: ironworker punch/shear, drill press, overhead crane, cold saw, band saw, chop saw, grinders, plasma arc, and oxy-acetylene cutting.
  3. Individual initiative and responsibility as a craftsman.
  4. A working knowledge of fabrication and blueprints.
  5. Understanding of occupational safety habits.
Normal sight, depth perception and physical dexterity are required.

Welding is one of the most common and dependable methods of joining materials together. Fabrication is the process of blueprint reading, layout, cutting and preparing materials for assembly.

The competency-based Welding and Fabrication program trains the student in the safe and correct procedures used in shielded metal-arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding, MIG and TIG welding, and air arc and plasma cutting. Course content also includes the safe use and care of hand and power equipment found in welding and fabrication shops. Some of the equipment includes overhead cranes, grinders, power saws, ironworker, cold saws and drill presses.

The student will be prepared for entry into many trade and industry opportunities, including construction, aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, machinist, ship building and agriculture. This is only a small cross-section of job opportunities available to the student who successfully completes the program.

Students must complete a minimum of 57 credits through coursework or prior learning experience in order to graduate. 

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Program Map for

Print/Download

Choose program map:

Total Program Credits: 51 - 57


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED123
Leadership Skills for Business and Industry   1
4
WELD 113
Welding Math  
1
WELD 114
Introduction to Blueprint Reading  
2
WELD 115
Introduction to Fabrication  
3
WELD 116
Shielded Metal Arc Welding Theory  
3
WELD 117
Shielded Metal Arc Welding Applications   2
7
Total Credits
 
20

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
WELD 121
Intermediate Welding Math  
1
WELD 123
Intermediate Blueprint Reading  
2
WELD 124
Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding Theory  
3
WELD 125
Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding Applications   2
1 - 7
WELD 126
Intermediate Fabrication  
3
WELD 127
Fabrication Machine Operation  
2
Total Credits
 
12-18

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED125
Employment Preparation   1
3
WELD 131
Advanced Welding Math  
1
WELD 133
Advanced Blueprint Reading  
2
WELD 134
Specialty Welding Theory  
3
WELD 135
Specialty Welding Applications   2
7
WELD 136
Advanced Fabrication  
3
Total Credits
 
19

Optional 4th Quarter   3

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
WELD 143
Specialized Blueprint  
2
WELD 144
Specialized Theory  
3
WELD 145
Specialized Fabrication  
3
WELD 146
Specialized Welding   2
1 - 7
1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2 WELD 117, 125, 135, & 146: 1-7 credits may be applied using prior learning experience.
3 Instructor permission required. Completion of these courses will entitle the student to a certificate of completion issued by the dean of instruction for Technical Education.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Military Tuition Assistance Program
Tuition
$ 5,045
$ 6,032
$ 11,135
$ 3,937
Books
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
Course Fees
$ 1,070
$ 1,070
$ 1,070
$ 1,070
Institutional Fees
$ 336
$ 336
$ 336
$ 336
Total Costs
$ 7,153
$ 8,140
$ 13,243
$ 6,045

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.