Welding

Last Updated May 29, 2008

A welder is a technician skilled in the art of joining metal. Students in this curriculum learn to manufacture products, build structures and repair broken or cracked structures using gas-fueled torches and electric-arc processes. Classroom instruction merges with hands-on lab experience to prepare the graduate for employment in a variety of industrial and construction settings.

Duties
Graduates in this field may be required to:

• work from blueprints

• join metal pieces together or cut/trim metal pieces to desired shapes and sizes by applying intense heat

• electric-arc welders select suitable electrodes, adjust electric current controls, start the arc by touching the metals to the electrode, withdraw the electrode and move it along the areas to be joined

• gas welders select welding rod and torch tip, adjust the valves that control the flow of gas into the torch and size of the flame, and move the flame along the area to be joined

Working Conditions
Graduates in this field commonly experience:

• working with hot parts, safety of operation, and various welding methods such as Oxy - Fuel, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and gas tungsten arc welding

• may be inside or outside (welding shops, production areas, on location at work site)

• work in cooperation with others

• may work independently

• work under direct supervision

• may require travel, and or additional hours

Physical Demands

• active (walking, carrying, standing)

• lifting to 70+ lbs.

• good eyesight

Characteristics & Temperament
Graduates in this field should have:

• ability to work with numbers, symbols

• ability to work with inanimate objects - setting up, operating, maintaining

• fair oral communication skills

• ability to learn and "catch on" quickly

• spatial aptitude: understand two-dimensional objects, recognize relationships resulting from the movement of things

• mechanical reasoning: understand mechanical principles and devices, understand how things work an how to fix them

• good motor coordination: hand/eye coordination, accurate movements, finger/manual dexterity

• ability to follow oral and written directions

• self-discipline/self-motivation

• good judgment

Employment Outlook
Graduates in this field can expect the following developments:

• salary average: $27,150 for 2002-2007 graduates

• salary range: $17,500-38,000 per year for 2002-2007 graduates

• 84% placement rate for 2002-2007 graduates

• possible self-employment

• possible advancement to supervisor or inspector

• recertification must be obtained at each job site for each employer

Employers
Recent graduates have found work at:

• Actaris
• BF Shaw, Inc.
• City of Elberton
• Clendenin Lumber
• Clinton Newberry Natural Gas Authority
• Cooper Power Systems
• CPW
• Eaton Corporation
• Fluor Daniel
• Georgia-Pacific
• Greenwood Mills
• Kimura, Inc.
• Komatsu
• Metal Masters
• PCA Rebuild Center
• Piedmont Technical College
• Stoll Trailers
• The Atlantic Group
• Velux
• Vulcan
  

Program & Course Information
Piedmont Technical College offers the following programs related to this career field:

• Welding Diploma

• Journeyman Welding Certificate

Career Tracks is a publication of Piedmont Technical College that reflects the current career statistics for students who have completed programs of the college.  Forward your questions about this site to Andy Omundson at (864) 941-8376 or by e-mail to omundson.a@ptc.edu.