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Welding Technician Certificate Program with Externship


Program includes National Certification & Externship Opportunity


The Welding Technician Profession

Welding is a high-tech industry that can take you places all over the world. From ladders to aircraft carriers, from NASCAR to national defense, and from the laboratory to sales and repair, the varied welding industry impacts virtually every industry. Technology is creating more uses for welding in the workplace. The Welding Technician program is designed to prepare students to support industrial, transportation, oil and gas, constructing, and many other industries with welding skills. The work of welders includes joining pipe sections for oil and natural gas pipelines, working in numerous industrial environments, building ships, and supporting construction. Students can serve in positions such as Welders, Cutters, Solderers and Brazers.

This program provides learners the entry level skills required to start a career in welding. This course is designed to prepare students to earn multiple credentials through the American Welding Society (AWS) Schools through National Skill Standards Education (SENSE) Level 1 Certification. Students are eligible for an optional externship with a local employer after successful course completion.


Program Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Select and properly use safety equipment, protective clothing, and procedures applicable to the cutting and welding of metals
  • Describing basic welding processes, the welding trade, and training/apprenticeship programs
  • Applying welding safety practices and using personal protective equipment related to the welding trade
  • Applying knowledge and skills related to safety practices, equipment, consumables, setup, and use of equipment for oxyfuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, air-carbon arc cutting and gouging
  • Applying knowledge and skills related to safe preparation of base metals and basic cleaning, basic weld joint design, types of welds and joint preparation
  • Applying knowledge of various codes and assessing weld quality
  • Applying knowledge and skills related to SMAW (shielded metal arc welding) including safety, equipment, setup, electrodes and their care and handling, bead and fillet welds, groove welds with backing, and open-root groove welds
  • Applying knowledge of welding symbols and welding drawings

Lesson Checklist

Each lesson includes a prescribed checklist of activities for successful completion of the lesson. This includes lesson objectives, readings, and recommended assignments. Although assignments are optional, the instructor will grade and provide feedback on submitted assignments.

Course Materials:

  • Welding Level 1 Trainee Guide, 5th edition
  • Welding Symbols
  • Reading Welding Detail Drawings

Module/Lesson Structure

The Welding Technician program modules contain one or more lesson presentations to view. These lesson presentations are the “lectures” which, along with the textbook readings and resources, will help you learn the material. The lesson presentations aim to address a variety of learning styles and preferences using text, audio, video, etc. Each lesson contains at least one Check Your Understanding interactive self-assessment that will help you gauge your comprehension of that lesson’s content. Some lessons include supplemental resources such as games, animations, videos, and interactive activities. Utilizing these additional materials will deepen your understanding of the content. Each module has a Module test, the last Module concludes with a Final Exam.

  • Module 1: Welding Safety
  • Module 2: Oxyfuel Cutting
  • Module 3: Plasma Arc Cutting
  • Module 4: Base Metal Preparation
  • Module 5: Welding Quality
  • Module 6: Equipment and Setup
  • Module 7: SMAW Electrodes
  • Module 8: Beads and Fillet Welds
  • Module 9: Joint-Fit-up and Alignment
  • Module 10: SMAW – Groove Welds with Backing
  • Module 11: Welding Symbols
  • Module 12: Reading Welding Detail Drawings

Note: This program can be completed in 6 months. However, students will have online access to this program for a 24-month period.

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED .
  • There are National Certification exam available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Certificate of Completion
    • National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Welding Technician

National Certification

Students who complete this Auburn University Welding Technician program will be prepared to sit for the American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Certificate of Completion and the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Welding Technician Exam.Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the externship option with their program

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement, once students complete the program, they can participate in an externship and/or hands-on practicum to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a professional in this field. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in this field. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed with a participating organization near their location.  works with national organizations and can place students in externship opportunities nationwide.

Note: No refunds can be issued after the start date published in your Financial Award document.