Welding Technology

Program Overview

The welding industry can be extremely rewarding due to the fact that employers have a constant need for skilled welders. Welding is used in manufacturing, construction, and many other industries. In the Welding Technology program, students are taught oxy-fuel gas cutting principles and practices, arc cutting principles and practices, and welding inspection and testing principles. Welding Technology students research careers in the welding field and learn how to weld in all positions. Further, they learn how to interpret blueprints and layout projects from cutting to tacking to full completion of projects. Students learn about precision cuts in steel plates using superheated gases and learn how steel is formed from a liquid to solid. Students also gain hands-on training in a variety of welding procedures including shielded metal arc welding (STICK), gas metal arc welding (MIG), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (TIG).

In this program, students learn how to use the proper equipment for testing welds, destruction, and hardness testing. They gain experience in reading and understanding manuals and specification charts for the welding process. The students learn how to use grinders and chemical baths for surface cleaning, proper clamping techniques, and welding standards established by the American Welding Society.

* Blueprint Reading is a required course for this program of study.

Skill Alignment Chart (Click to Expand)
Educational & Physical Attributes Expectations
Program Safety & Physical Considerations
  • A focus on safety around welding equipment, hand tools, power tools & other equipment
  • Ability to work independently, read & follow directions
  • Able to lift 50 lbs
  • Good eye/hand coordination
  • Stamina to stand for long periods of time
  • Able to withstand welding fumes and mild chemical odors
  • Able to remain focused on the task at–hand, particularly when welding
Essential APTITUDES for this lab–Recommended Levels
  • Finger & manual dexterity
  • Form perception
  • Motor coordination
  • Spatial
  • Critical thinking
  • Troubleshooting
  • Active learning & listening
  • Math skills
  • Ability to work independently & in teams
  • Judgement & decision making
  • Ability to take notes
Reading
  • Explain the main ideas or draw accurate conclusions after reading text
  • Follow a complex multi–step procedure independently
  • Evaluate how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts
  • Comprehend written text and apply it to understand tables, charts, and other visuals
  • Learn and apply content–specific symbols, abbreviations, and acronyms correctly
  • Apply content–specific vocabulary correctly
  • Identify and explain how different ideas connect throughout text
  • Read and understand diagnostic and schematic data to solve a problem
  • Compare & contrast information in a text
  • Summarize information from different written resources
  • By the end of grades 9–10 & 11–12 read & comprehend technical texts independently & proficiently
  • Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis & conclusions in a technical text
  • Textbook: Modern Welding, Twelfth Edition, Average grade reading level: 12.8
Writing
  • Write with a sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task, and audience
  • Develop and analyze the topic with relevant, well–chosen, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, and concrete details
  • Produce clear & coherent writing
  • Evaluate and explain arguments and counter arguments
  • Develop and strengthen writing by brainstorming, revising, editing & rewriting
  • Write with awareness to audience using program–specific vocabulary
  • Write routinely over short/long time frames for a range of tasks, purposes & audiences
  • Clearly convey with precision step–by–step work completed
  • Write fast–paced, accurate work reports
  • Use technology to produce, publish or share writing
Math Levels

    Numbers and Operations:

  • Grade 6 – Fluency in operations with whole numbers and decimals
  • Grade 6 – Fraction computations
  • Grade 6 – Whole number exponents
  • Grade 7 – Fraction to decimal conversion
  • Grade 7 – Percent and ratio problems
  • Grade 8 – Decimals to rational number (fraction) conversion
  • Grade 8 – Estimate the value of irrational numbers.
  • Algebra 1 – Problem solving with real world units, including conversions
  • Measurement:

  • NG – Units: English / Metric Precision: Nearest 1/16 inch
  • Grade 6 – Unit conversion within and between measuring systems
  • Algebraic Concepts:

  • Grade 8 – Slope
  • Geometric Concepts:

  • Grade 7 – Angle measure problems (supplementary, complementary, adjacent, angles of a triangle, parallel lines cut by transversal)
  • Grade 7 – Scale drawings of geometric figures
  • Grade 8 – Pythagorean Theorem
  • Geometry – Trigonometric ratios and problem solving (includes Pythagorean)
  • Geometry – Scale models and drawings
  • Geometry – Study of circles
  • Data and Probability:

  • Algebra 1 – Interpret data on various displays – use to make predictions
Theory Time
  • Approximately 1 hour/day
Homework
  • 1 hour/week
Lab Time
  • 4– 4.5 hours/day
Tests
  • Unit quizzes (open notes)
  • Chapter tests
  • Industry Certifications
    • OSHA 10
    • AWS–Certified Welder
  • NOCTI (mandatory for all CTE programs)
POS Academics and Electives Recommended
  • College Prep English & Math are a component of the DCTS program
Study & Other Skills
  • Good attendance
  • Responsible
  • Able to take notes
Technology/Skills Knowledge
  • Use and navigate school–issued laptop
  • Web navigation
  • Email management
  • Navigate learning management system and instructional technology tools
  • Video conferencing
  • Database navigation
Certifications Offered
  • OSHA 10
  • American Welding Society (AWS) Recognized Welding Certifications
    AWS D1.1

    • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
    • Flux–Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
    • Gas–Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Post–Secondary Options and Continuing Ed

    SOAR Articulations

  • Community College of Allegheny County– 9 credits
  • Delaware County Community College– 8 credits
  • Harrisburg Area Community College– 12 credits
  • Northhampton County Area Community College– 10 credits
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology– 12 credits
  • Pittsburgh Technical College– 9 credits
  • Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology– 9 credits
  • Westmoreland County Community College– 10 credits