Welding Training - Workforce Credential

Welding is a skill used in many trades. Welders with solid technical skills are in demand in a wide variety of businesses and industries. As a welder, you may work for manufacturers; contractors; federal, state, county, and city governments; firms requiring maintenance mechanics; and repair shops. Our Welding Program offers a wide range of skills including oxyacetylene, gas metal arc, shield metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding as well brazing, cutting, blueprint reading and welding codes and standards.

Welding Courses:

SMAW (stick) - Students will learn to perform 1/4", 3/8" and 5/8” fillet welds in the horizontal (2F), vertical (3F), and overhead (4F) positions.

FCAW (flux-core) - Students will learn to perform 1/4", 3/8" and 5/8” fillet welds in the horizontal (2F), vertical (3F), and overhead (4F) positions.

GMAW (MIG) - Students will learn to perform 1/4", 3/8" and 5/8” fillet welds in the flat (1F), horizontal (2F), and flat groove welds (1G) on 3/8” plate.

GTAW (TIG) - Students will learn to perform 1/4" and 3/8" fillet welds on carbon steel in the flat horizontal (2F), vertical (3F), and overhead (4F) positions. In addition, students will learn safe practices, GTAW welding theory, weldability of materials such as stainless steel and aluminum, welding terms and definitions, and visual inspection techniques for GTAW welds

Certified Welder -Pipe - Students will learn to perform welds on open-root pipe in the (2G) horizontal, (5G) multiple position, and (6G) inclined position" on 6” schedule 40 and 6” schedule 80 pipe. Prerequisites: Successful completion of a SMAW(Stick) or GTAW(TIG) course or 6 months of relevant welding experience.

Career Opportunities

A career in welding is dynamic and challenging. There are many rewarding opportunities to harness new knowledge, scientific principles, and today’s most advanced technologies. From manufacturing to construction, the demand for welders is strong. Examples of entry-level jobs that utilize this training include, but are not limited to:

• Welders
• Cutters

Welding training have a broad range of roles, which can include:

• Using a welding machine to connect metal elements, such as piping or structural supports
• Examining welds for flaws like porosity or fractures and doing rectification as needed
• The upkeep of welding machinery, including cleaning, mending, and repairs
• Employing tools like gas detectors, ultrasonic equipment, or magnetic particle inspection machines to conduct nondestructive testing on materials
• Maintaining safety standards and procedures in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws
• Before welding training, materials should be inspected for flaws to ensure that the resulting joint will be durable enough for the intended usage.
• Identifying weld locations and making sure that adequate welds are produced requires reading blueprints and other drawings.
• Discussing plans and procedures for welding with supervisors
• Analyzing and deciphering technical drawings, schematics, and engineering diagrams

Locations: Trades Center, 236 Industrial Blvd, Toano, Virginia and Hampton Campus, 600 Butler Farm Road.

Program Costs:

Accelerating and Enhancing Career Education Programs (AECE) is a $2,050,925 project; $1,686,258 (82%) funded through a Federal USDOL-ETA grant and $364,667(18%) through non-federal resources.

For more information about welding training or the AWS Welding Certification call 757-825-4070.

• Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Pipe Welding