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Welding Fabrication

Chemeketa offers degree and certificate options to help you start your welding career.

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  • A student welds while an instructor teaches another student in front of a blackboard
  • Welding student cutting metal in a shop
  • Welding student in welding shop

Why choose Welding Fabrication?

Welding is a great-paying career with lots of opportunities to explore - it can even be done underwater. If you're ready to commit to a long-term career in welding, Chemeketa is the place to start. 

You can complete Chemeketa's welding fabrication degree in just 21 months, or pursue a 10-month certificate with advanced techniques and instruction.

Some program options have enrollment limits and early application deadlines. Class cohorts begin each fall.

What will you learn?

In addition to the fundamentals leading to a career, you will learn advanced arc, MIG, and TIG welding; precision measurement; blueprint reading and sketching; fabrication processes; and metallurgy. Chemeketa's program includes class and lab work as well as cooperative work experiences that will earn you college credits and money.

What will you do?

As a student in the Welding program, you will learn to –

  • Set up and operate manual and semi-automatic welding and cutting equipment used in the metal fabrication industry
  • Perform basic layout and fabrication skills to produce welded metal parts and products
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings to American Welding Society standards
  • Use welding process and procedure applications
  • Apply basic metallurgy knowledge to fabrication processes
  • Perform basic set-up and operations for manual machining equipment
  • Carry out planning procedures for manual mill and lathe operations
  • Select tools and equipment to measure, fabricate, and inspect weldments
  • Select tools and equipment to manufacture, measure, and inspect parts for the manual mill and lathe processes
  • Perform as a team member and practice skills that reflect professional and ethical behavior in the workplace

Graduates with a welding degree or certificate can end up working in robotics, motor sports, military support, ship building and repair, project management, inspections, engineering, education, and sales.

  • CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK & DRUG TESTING

    Although Chemeketa's program does not require background checks or drug testing, you may want to familiarize yourself with how future employers might use these procedures. Whether you are hired or promoted for a job may depend on the information revealed in a background check. Job applicants and existing employees as well as volunteers may be asked to submit to background checks. For some jobs, screening is required by federal or state law. The current emphasis on security and safety has dramatically increased the number of employment background checks conducted. For more information visit privacyrights.org.

Program Options

  • Welding Fabrication Associate of Applied Science Degree

    This degree is for those who want to acquire the technical knowledge and skills required to work in welding, fabrication, and related occupations. The program offers a background in manufacturing materials, processes, and systems, including shear and press brake operation, blueprint reading, and shop drawing and layout.

    See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.

    Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $9300; fees, $6400; books, $1200; tools, $1600; and AWS certification tests, $500 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs. 

    Enrollment in this program is limited and there is an early deadline for applications.

  • Welding Certificate of Completion

    This certificate prepares you for a variety of positions in job specialty production and maintenance shops. Graduates may find work as MIG welders, arc welders, oxyacetylene welders, semiautomatic welding equipment operators, or TIG welders.

    See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.

    Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $5250; fees, $3700; books, $600; tools, $950; and AWS certification tests, $500 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs. 

    Enrollment in this program is limited and there is an early deadline for applications.

  • Arc Welding Career Pathway Certificate

    The Arc Welding certificate combines hands-on training in the use of SMAW welding equipment with the coursework needed for success in the field.

    This program option is wholly contained within the Welding Fabrication AAS degree program and may serve as the first step in a career pathway toward the degree.

    See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.

    Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $2200; fees, $1650; books, $450; tools, $500; and AWS certification test, $250 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs. 

  • MIG Welding Career Pathway Certificate

    The MIG Welding certificate combines hands-on training in the use of GMAW welding equipment with the coursework needed for success in the field.

    This program option is wholly contained within the Welding Fabrication AAS degree program and may serve as the first step in a career pathway toward the degree.

    See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.

    Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $1400; fees, $1050; books, $450; tools, $550; and AWS certification test, $250 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs. 

Open Enrollment Welding Classes: For Credit

Open enrollment classes do not require application and acceptance into the Welding program.

  • Open-enrollment classes offered

    *Class availability subject to change due to enrollment and scheduling

     

    WLD151 Basic Arc Welding 
    5 credits
    OFFERED: fall 

    WLD152 Intermediate Arc Welding 
    5 credits
    OFFERED: winter

    WLD153 Advanced Arc Welding 
    4 credits
    OFFERED: spring

    WLD156 Blueprint Reading and Sketching  term
    5 credits
    OFFERED: fall

    WLD157 Introduction to Layout and Fabrication 
    3 credits
    OFFERED: winter

    WLD159 Ornamental Iron Work 
    2 credits
    OFFERED: summer, fall, winter

    WLD161 Basic MIG Welding
    3 credits
    OFFERED: winter

    WLD163 Advanced MIG Welding 
    3 credits
    OFFERED: spring

  • FALL 2024 OPEN-ENROLLMENT CLASS SCHEDULE

    Fall term begins September 30, 2024

    WLD159 Ornamental Iron

    CRN: 44722/44723 (Lecture/Lab)
    Monday, 6-9:50pm
    Salem Campus

    WLD151 Basic Arc Welding

    CRN: 45029/45030 (Lecture/Lab)
    Monday & Wednesday, 6-9:50pm
    Friday, 6-8:50pm
    Salem Campus

    WLD156 Blueprint Reading and Sketching

    CRN: 45031/45032 (Lecture/Lab)
    Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30-9:50pm
    Salem Campus

  • SUMMER 2024 OPEN-ENROLLMENT CLASS SCHEDULE

    Summer term begins June 24, 2024

    WLD159 Ornamental Iron  

    CRN: 18981/18982(Lecture/Lab)
    Monday, 5-10pm
    Salem Campus

Open Enrollment Welding Classes: Non-credit

Whether you are new to welding or need continuing education credits, we have a welding class for you! (All levels of students welcome. Age 16 years and older.)

Classes are offered every term (subject to enrollment). All classes meet concurrently.

Fall, winter, spring: Saturday mornings, 9 am-noon
Summer: Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 6-9 pm

Please refer to the Tool & Gear List below for required tools for each class.

*Non-credit welding classes do not provide an opportunity for welder certification testing.  Any AWS welder certification testing needs to be done at a private testing facility.

  • Non-credit classes offered

    Registration allowed for only one non-credit welding class per term

    Basic ARC Welding
    Study the basic principles involved in making fillet welds on mild steel using standard industrial procedures, equipment and electrodes with the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process.

     

    Advanced ARC Welding
    Continuation of welding out of position on T-joints using E7018 and E6010 stick welding electrodes with a brief overview of welding procedures as they apply to stick welding on heavy guage mild steel material.

     

    Basic Oxyacetylene Welding
    Fundamentals of oxyacetylene welding including brazing and cutting.

     

    Basic Metal Arc Welding (MIG)
    Introduces basic skills in semiautomatic metal inert gas (MIG) welding processes. Covers principles involved in equipment, material and procedures. Uses solid and flux-core wire in typical industrial applications.

     

    Basic Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG)
    Fundamentals of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes, machine setting and application, and development of inert gas welding skills. Includes stainless and aluminum welding.

  • Fall 2024 Non-Credit Class Schedule

    Saturdays, 9am - noon
    October 5 - December 14, 2024
    *No class November 30

    Registration begins May 21, 2024. Registration allowed for only one non-credit welding class per term

    Basic ARC Welding

    CRN: 42640
    Course ID: XWLD9050A
    Fee: $229

    Advanced ARC Welding

    CRN: 45035
    Course ID: XWLD9050B
    Fee: $229

    Basic Oxyacetylene Welding

    CRN: 45036
    Course ID: XWLD9050C
    Fee: $229

    Basic MIG Welding

    CRN: 42643
    Course ID: XWLD9050F
    Fee: $229

    Basic TIG Welding

    CRN: 42644
    Course ID: XWLD9050G
    Fee: $229

  • How to Register for Non-Credit Welding Classes

    *Registration allowed for only one non-credit welding class per term.

    Step 1:

    • If you are new to Chemeketa, follow the steps to enroll in CLASSES FOR FUN first
    • Register for class in My Chemeketa

    Step 2:

    • Pay for class. See payment options here
  • Tool & Gear List for Non-Credit Welding Classes

    All Classes:

    • Leather gloves
    • Leather shoes
    • Hood with # 10 lens (ARC, MIG, TIG)
    • Safety glasses
    • Extra plastic cover lenses
    • Ear Plugs (recommended but not required)
    • Something to take notes on
    • Padlock or combination lock for a locker

     

    ARC Classes:

    • Chipping Hammer
    • Wire brush
    • (2) 11R or 11sp vise grips
    • Fillet weld gauges (Advanced ARC only as needed)

     

    MIG Class:

    • Tweco .035 and .045 contact tips (#14, 14H, or 14T only)
    • Wire cutters
    • (2) 11r or 11sp vise grips

     

    Oxyacetylene Class:

    • Tip Cleaner
    • Pliers
    • Striker
    • Goggles/glasses/face shield in #4 or 5 shade
    • Vise grips

     

    TIG Class:

    • 3/32 2% thoriated (radioactive), Ceriated, or Lanthanated (non-radioactive) tungsten
    • 3/32 pure tungsten
    • 3/32 collets
    • 3/32 collet bodies
    • Back cap
    • Gas cups
    • Pliers
    • 2 SS toothbrushes

    *All Torch parts must fit a #20 Torch

     

    Questions? Contact instructor at terry.calderwood@chemeketa.edu or 503.399.5210