Welding Technology

Welding is the process by which metals are permanently joined together using heat and/or pressure. Welders make almost every product we use each day – as well as the equipment and factories that make non-metal products. Welders are the backbone of the industrial world, and they are in short supply. Skilled, knowledgeable welders are in high demand, making job opportunities plentiful. The Welding Technology Program offers classes at Scott Northern Wake Campus, Southern Wake Campus and Vernon Malone College & Career Academy.

The Welding Technology curriculum at Wake Tech teaches students the science behind welding. Coursework is designed to help students develop practical welding skills that can be used to pursue employment and career opportunities in the welding industry.

Hands-on training includes the following:

• Mig
• Tig
• Stick
• Pipe
• Orbit welding
• Cutting processes
• Testing and inspection
• Fabrication
• Symbols and specifications

Coursework may include these subjects:

• Math
• Reading blueprints
• Metallurgy
• Welding inspection
• Destructive and non-destructive testing

Scholarships are available:

• AWS scholarships
• Wake Tech scholarships

Employment

Welders can find employment in fabrication shops, structural welding (buildings and bridges), pipe welding (chemical and nuclear power plants), aircraft, robotics and weld-employment. Welders can also own their own businesses.

Graduates of Wake Tech’s Welding Technology program may be employed as entry-level technicians in welding and metalworking industries. Career opportunities also exist in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision and welding-related self-employment. 

Many local companies hire Wake Tech graduates, including John Deere Turf Care, Morris and Associates, Apex Steel, Buhler Aeroglide Corporation, Edwards Crane Service, Atlantic Coast Mechanical and more.

Professional licensure

Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.