Welding Technology

What are the Opportunities in Welding Technology?
Most welders work in manufacturing industries that produce transportation equipment, industrial machinery and equipment, and fabricated metal products. Welders are also employed in the construction of buildings and bridges, and to join pipes in pipelines, power plants and refineries.

What Skills are Required?
Welding is the most common method of permanently joining metal parts. Skilled welders work from drawings and specifications, set up equipment and create welds, and examine welds to ensure they meet specifications. Welders must possess measurement and blueprint reading skills and have the ability to operate welding and fabricating safely.

What is the Employment Outlook?
For skilled welders, job prospects should be excellent. Employment is expected to grow as fast as other career fields. Demand for welders with lower skills will decline, as new technologies to automate routine processes are implemented.

What Can I Earn in this Field?
In 2004, the Kansas Wage Survey reported that welders earned an average hourly wage of over $13. Potential earnings depend on the industry, location and qualifications.

What Makes this Program Unique?
Students learn and apply the welding skills required in manufacturing. To prepare students for employment, emphasis includes both quality of work and time efficiency.
The Welding Technology program is located in the Reno County Industrial Center on the Hutchinson Community College campus and in cooperation with the Brooks Trade Center, Newton, USD 373. Students use equipment that is continually updated to keep pace with industry, including computer-aided machinery.
An advisory board of industry members meets regularly to provide direction for the program, ensuring that students receive the education needed to prepare for the entry into the workforce.

What Kind of Training and Education is Available?
Both Certificate and Associate in Applied Science Degree programs are available.
More information on this career can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco) and through the Kansas Department of Human Resources, Labor Statistics (http://www.dol.ks.gov/index.html).

Scholarships
Book scholarships, vocational scholarships, are available on a limited basis for those who qualify.