Westchester Community College, State University of New York

Job Outlook for Welder Technician

• The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes welders in the broader category of Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, for which it forecasts 3% growth between now and 2029.
• According to the BLS, welders earn an average of $20.43 per hour or $42,490 per year.
• The 90% percentile in the welding field take home over $64,000, according to BLS.

WHAT SKILLS TO WELDER TECHNICIANS NEED?
Welder technicians use a variety of welding techniques, including arc, soldering, plasma cutting and oxyfuel cutting processes. They use math to determine tolerances, read blueprints and configure physical designs from engineering concepts. They must be familiar with the properties of metals, including both ferrous metals like steel and iron and non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium and zinc. Welder technicians work with powerful equipment, so safety procedures and practices are very important. Finally, welder technicians often work in teams on loud, sometimes dangerous jobs. Therefore, listening and collaboration skills are crucial.

CAN WELDER TECHNICIANS WORK ANYWHERE?
Although some state and local governments have license or certification requirements, welding is generally considered a very mobile career. Excellent welders are known as elite trades practitioners who can find work almost anywhere.

IS AN ONLINE COURSE GOOD FOR LEARNING WELDING?
This course is designed as an accelerated training package that will give you the concepts and skills you need to get started in a welding career. These include math, inspection, safety, materials, quality, metal cutting, grinding, forming, robotics, rigging, and welding.

• Welding Safety, Processes, and Applications
• Troubleshooting
• Inspection Methods
• Metallurgy
• Rigging
• Fabrication Processes
• Prepare for a career as a welder technician
• Gain confidence in your ability to perform your job
• Get the knowledge and skills you need to start your career in an accelerated format

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Key course topics include:

Math

• Math Fundamentals
• Math: Fractions and Decimals
• Units of Measurement
• Basics of Tolerance
• Blueprint Reading
• Geometry: Lines and Angles
• Geometry: Triangles
• Geometry: Circles and Polygons
• Trigonometry: The Pythagorean Theorem
• Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent
• Statistics

Inspection

• Basic Measurement
• Introduction to GD&T
• Major Rules of GD&T
• Inspecting a Prismatic Part
• Inspecting a Cylindrical Part
• In-Line Inspection Applications

Safety

• Intro to OSHA
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Noise Reduction and Hearing Conservation
• Respiratory Safety
• Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• SDS and Hazard Communication
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Walking and Working Surfaces
• Fire Safety and Prevention
• Flammable/Combustible Liquids
• Ergonomics
• Hand and Power Tool Safety
• Safety for Lifting Devices
• Powered Industrial Truck Safety
• Confined Spaces
• Environmental Safety Hazards
• Machine Guarding

Materials

• Introduction to Physical Properties
• Introduction to Mechanical Properties
• Introduction to Metals
• Metal Manufacturing
• Classification of Steel
• Essentials of Heat Treatment of Steel
• Ferrous Metals
• Nonferrous Metals
• Exotic Alloys

Quality and Manufacturing Management

• Lean Manufacturing Overview
• Essentials of Leadership
• Essentials of Communication
• ISO 9001: 2015 Review
• Continuous Process Improvement: Managing Flow
• Manufacturing Process Applications: Part I
• Continuous Process Improvement: Identifying and Eliminating Waste
• Manufacturing Process Applications: Part II
• Managing Performance: Best Practices
• Managing Performance: Corrective Actions
• Conflict Resolution Principles
• 5S Overview
• Conflict Resolution for Different Groups
• Team Leadership
• Intro to Six Sigma
• Quality and Customer Service
• Manufacturing Management
• Troubleshooting
• Personal Effectiveness
• Conducting Kaizen Events
• Managing the Diverse Workplace
• SPC Overview
• Harassment and Discrimination
• TS 16949:2009 Overview
• Interpreting Blueprints
• Performance Management and the Law
• Metrics for Lean
• Process Flow Charting
• Strategies for Setup Reduction
• Management Tools: Problem Solving
• Six Sigma Goals and Tools

Grinding and Machining

• Safety for Metal Cutting
• Grinding Processes
• Grinding Safety
• Band Saw Operation
• Basics of the Surface Grinder
• Metal Cutting Fluid Safety
• Setup for the Surface Grinder
• Surface Grinder Operation

Press Brake

• Press Brake Safety
• Press Brake Components
• Bending Fundamentals
• Die Bending Operations
• Operating the Press Brake
• Press Brake Specifications

Robotics and Mechanical Systems

• Forces of Machines
• Robot Troubleshooting
• Robot Installations

Rigging

• Intro to Machine Rigging
• Rigging Equipment
• Lifting and Moving Equipment
• Rigging Inspection and Safety
• Rigging Mechanics

Welding and Assembly

• Welding Safety Essentials
• Safety for Assembly
• PPE for Welding
• Safety for Soldering
• Tools for Threaded Fasteners
• Welding Fumes and Gases Safety
• Electrical Safety for Welding
• Introduction to Welding
• Introduction to Welding Processes
• Material Tests for Welding
• Welding Ferrous Metals
• Welding Nonferrous Metals
• Overview of Weld Types
• Overview of Weld Defects
• Welding Symbols and Codes
• Electrical Power for Arc Welding
• Introduction to SMAW
• Introduction to GMAW
• Fabrication Process
• Overview of Soldering
• Plasma Cutting
• Oxyfuel Cutting Applications
• SMAW Applications
• GMAW Applications
• Advanced GMAW Applications
• GTAW Applications

This self-paced course is not instructor-facilitated; however, support will be provided through email, online forms, and phone.