|
|
"“Don’t be scared to try it, it
doesn’t hurt to try. If you
don’t actually make it or
don’t feel it’s for you at least
you gave it a try and you
won’t say ‘what if?’ or ‘I
should have.’ These are high
paying jobs. As long as a
state keeps growing, they’re going to need welders.” |
|
Career Path: There are many career options for welders, such as apprentice welder, arc welder, instructor, gas welder, ironworker, pipe fitter, structural metal and boilermaker, welding technician, resistance welder, welding inspector, welding contractor, welding engineer, and aluminum welder.
El Camino College will teach you the skills to gain employment into the field. By completing the degree or certificate requirements, you will gain proficiency in the following welding processes:
- oxy-acetylene cutting
- plasma arc cutting
- brazing and welding
- shielded metal arc welding
- gas metal arc welding
- gas tungsten arc welding
- flux cored welding
Students develop skills in welding ferrous and non-ferrous alloys in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Students also acquire proficiency in blueprint reading, layout, structural fabrication, and pipe welding. Competencies are assessed regularly in accordance with criteria established by the American Welding Society, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American National Standards Institute.
Nature of the Work: Much of the work in welding is physical and requires prevision and
attention to detail. Students may find positions in transportation and equipment
manufacturing, metal product fabrication, and architectural and structural construction.
Sometimes welders work while sitting on a high narrow beam; cramped in uncomfortable
positions into tiny quarters; or deep under water so it’s important to stay physically fit in this
industry.
Work Environment: The work environment varies depending on the type of field and
placement, and you can choose a job that requires work inside or outside. Welders can work
outside as structural engineers, maintenance technicians, or metal framework fabricators, or
inside, which includes a higher percentage of jobs, in a factory or manufacturing company as
welding instructors, auto body repair technicians, or metal work artists.
Specific Jobs Available to Graduates: The welding industry offers many different jobs for
graduates. With an A.S. degree, graduates can become welding instructors (with work
experience), manufacturing technicians, and structural engineers. With a certificate,
graduates can be pipe welders, metal fabricators, sheet metal workers, and structural
welders.
Industries Employing Graduates of this Program: Aerospace, Petro-Chemical, School
Districts, Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction, and Utilities Industries commonly employ
students from El Camino College. Specific companies include Robinson Helicopters, Los
Angeles Unified School District, Tanko, Aerojet, Shell Oil, Dow Chemical, and Pacific Gas and
Electric.
Course Description: The Welding program at El Camino College provides both an A.S. degree and multiple certificate programs in specific niche areas.
Upon completion of the degree or certificate requirements, graduates can be employed as welding instructors (with work experience), manufacturing technicians, structural engineers, pipe welders, metal fabricators, sheet metal workers, and structural welders.
Courses include:
- Basic Welding Technology
- Basic Welding for Allied Fields
- Layout Pipefitting
- Arc Welding Certification
- Pipe Welding and Pipe Fabrication
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Structural Fabrication and Blueprint Reading
- Special Topics in Welding (Individualized Program)
- Cooperative Career Education (Students Learn from Experts in the Welding Field)
Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for this program, although basic computer skills and math skills are recommended.
Hours Offered: Courses are offered during both daytime and evening hours. Class schedules vary by semester.
Length of Program: An A.S. Degree requires at least 60 units including general education requirements and 24-27 units in the Welding Program and averages about 2 years to complete. A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students completing 32-44 units with a 2.0 grade point average or higher and can be completed within 1 year.
The El Camino Welding Department also offers the following certificate programs.
The following Certificate of Achievement options are available:
- Certificate of Achievement (Total Units for Day Program: 32-44. Total Units for Evening Program: 32-44)
Tutoring:
Tutoring is available for women in the Electronics program through the Women in Technology (WIT) program.
For additional tutoring services, view a list of on-campus specialized tutoring services, visit the Learning Resources Center or view the tutoring schedule for a variety of classes.
Financial Aid Contact
http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/fao/
Academic Counselor Contact:
http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/co/
Career Placement Services Contact:
http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/cps/
A small amount of preparation can help make your days in the classroom go more smoothly. Visit the CalWomenTech Learning Library to find software and other tools to advance your math, spatial reasoning skills and much more. Learn about El Camino College's Tutoring Resources to find out how tutoring can help.
 Copyright 2010 National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science | http://www.iwitts.com |