Welding

Do you enjoy working with your hands? Do you like creating, designing, and/or repairing things? A career in welding may be the path for you!

Pathway Description

This program prepares students for a career in welding through classes offered at Sioux City Community Schools and WITCC. Credits successfully completed during high school will transfer into the Welding Technology program at WITCC upon graduation. The program’s curriculum during high school and post-secondary is aligned to AWS national standards for entry-level welders and includes safety, blueprint reading, and welding procedure specifications. Upon successful completion of all competencies, students will have the opportunity to test for numerous AWS and ASME certifications. Students may incur additional fees for testing for these certifications.

Key Competencies

• Identify various metals and basic welding supplies and tools.
• Operate manual and robotic welding equipment.
• Understand blueprint reading and develop skills to accurately design products.
• Knowledge in use of precision measuring instruments and the application of such instruments.
• Demonstrate accuracy in cutting and trimming metal objects to specific dimensions.

Courses

View the High School Course Guide for an in-depth look at the courses outlined below.

High School Credits:

Year 1:

• 9000 Industrial Arts Technology (2)

Year 2:

• 9031 Welding I (2)

Year 3:

• 9G78A Intro to GMAW (2)
• 9G79A GMAW Production (2)
• 9G80B OXY Fuel Welding/Cutting (2)
• 9G81B ARC Welding Intro, SMAW (2)

Year 4:

• 9G82A ARC Welding Intermediate, SMAW (2)
• 9G83A Measure, Layout, & Applied Welding Symbols (2)
• 9G84B Intro to Pulse ARC GMAW Welding (2)
• 9G85B Industrial Safety (2)
• 9G86B Welding Blue Print Reading (2)

Total College Credits:

21

Salary

Annual National Average Salary for Entry Level Welder: $39,000

Career Opportunities