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Program of Study, as put forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Task List, as put forth by the Pennsylvania Department of EducationDescription of Welding & Fabrication;
Welding is a fabrication process that uses heat, pressure, or both to fuse two or more parts together, forming a joint. The completed welded joint may be referred to as a weldment.
Welder Fabricators may work on projects as big as bridges or as small as bicycles, but their job is essentially the same; designing, cutting, and shaping metal. A Welder Fabricator may be involved in the creation of new structures or hired to repair existing ones.
Welder Fabricators are generally part of a team of other skilled workers. However, their duties are often performed with minimal supervision, so Welder Fabricators must be comfortable working independently in a factory setting. Welder Fabricators rely on the construction and manufacturing industries for employment. The field is expected to grow 6 percent through 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, adding nearly 11,000 jobs annually.
Fabrication involves laying out, cutting, fitting, measuring, and welding metals to create the desired shape or object. This is highly detailed work and requires the Welder Fabricator to be knowledgeable of many techniques and tools.
About the Welding Technology Program
From theory to practice, each student will be trained in flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), Oxy-fuel cutting (OFC) both manual and mechanized. Plasma cutting manual and CNC. Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Oxy-fuel cutting, Plasma cutting, Carbon arc cutting
- SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, & FCAW welding process
- CNC plasma cutting and blueprint drafting/CAD
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Non-Destructive Testing & Destructive testing
- Welding Blueprint and Layout
- Maintain equipment in a condition that does not compromise safety
What makes a good welder?
A Welder should have patience, ensuring the welding process is accurately completed while adapting quickly if things change around them during work hours. A good Welder is self-directed, always looking ahead and is detail-oriented. A welder must be competent in using potentially dangerous equipment following all safety precautions. The ideal candidate will also have a steady hand and great attention to detail.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a welder?
A Welder welds or brazes pieces of metal together. They use heavy machinery that melts the appropriate shapes out of their material and smooths it into shape. A significant part of being a Welder includes reviewing blueprints before cutting any plates. Also, make sure they match up with what's being made, so there are no problems later in the process.
Is welding difficult?
For most people, welding is moderately to very difficult to learn how to do, as it’s a hands-on skill that requires more than just reading. Furthermore, welding is very difficult to actually do for most people, because it takes years and years of practice, on top of learning how to do it.
Is welding a good career?
Welding is an excellent career, and welders commonly praise their profession and extol the many benefits they get from welding as a career. Overall, if you can handle extreme conditions, long hours, smoke, and fire regularly, a career in welding can be rewarding. Because these types of jobs require specialized skills and can be potentially risky, contract welders can earn well over $100,000 a year.
What do you need before welding? Requirements
You should always have the proper safety equipment before you even begin — the most important things that you should have include safety glasses, welding gloves, an auto-darkening helmet (to protect your eyes from the flash), and a fire-resistant jacket.
