Welding and Joining Technology
Program Overview
The Welding and Joining Technology diploma program is designed to prepare students for careers in the welding industry. Program learning opportunities develop academic, technical, professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes welding theory and practical applications necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Welding and Joining Technology diploma, have the qualifications of a welding and joining technician, and are prepared to take qualification tests.
Students are accepted into the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 4 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 54 semester credit hours.
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program must have good eyesight, math skills, manual dexterity, hand eye coordination, critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply technology to the work environment.
Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode
- North Campus (Sandersville)
- South Campus (Dublin)
- Jefferson County Center
Salary Potential
$35,000.00 -$42,000.00
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $6,724.00
Books & Supplies: $500.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant:
The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.
To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the above programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Welding and Joining Technology diploma program have the qualifications of a welding and joining technician, and are prepared to take qualification tests. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Admission Requirements
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Submit a completed application and application fee;
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Be at least 16 years of age;
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Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
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Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums: COMPASS/ASSET, SAT, ACT, PSAT, PACT, Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion, HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher or GED.
Course Overview
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSESEMPL1000Interpersonal Relations & Prof Devlpmnt2 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
Emphasizes human relations and professional development in today's rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills, and professional image skills.
185ENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 0097, READ 0097
Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.
474MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: MATH 0097 or Appropriate arithmetic placement test score
Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.
235OCCUPATIONAL COURSESWELD1000Introduction to Welding Technology4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
Provides an introduction to welding technology with an emphasis on basic welding laboratory principles and operating procedures. Topics include: industrial safety and health practices, hand tool and power machine use, measurement, oxyacetylene welding, and welding career potentials.4083WELD1010Oxyfuel and Plasma Cutting4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Co-requisite: WELD 1000
Introduces fundamental principles, safety practices, equipment, and techniques necessary for metal heating, oxyfuel cutting, and plasma cutting. Topics include: metal heating and cutting principles, manual and automatic oxyfuel cutting techniques, oxyfuel pipe cutting, plasma torch and theory plasma machine setup and operation, and plasma cutting techniques.4085WELD1030Blueprint Reading for Welding Technology4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Co-Requisite: WELD 1000
This course introduces the knowledge and skills necessary for reading welding and related blueprints and sketches. An emphasis is placed on identifying types of welds, and the associated abbreviations and symbols.4087WELD1040Flat Shielded Metal Arc Welding4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Co-requisite: WELD 1000
This course introduces the major theory, safety practices, and techniques required for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in flat positions. Qualification tests, flat position, are used in the evaluation of student progress toward making industrial welds.4089WELD1050Horizontal Shielded Metal Arc Welding4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: WELD 1000
Introduces the major theory, safety practices, and techniques required for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in the horizontal position. Qualification tests, horizontal position, are used in the evaluation of student progress toward making industrial standard welds. Topics include: horizontal SMAW safety and health practices, selection and applications of electrodes, selection and applications for horizontal SMAW, horizontal SMAW joints, and horizontal SMAW to specification.4105WELD1060Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welding4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: WELD 1000
Introduces the major theory, safety practices, and techniques required for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in the vertical position. Qualification tests, vertical position, are used in the evaluation of student progress toward making industrial standard welds. Topics include: vertical SMAW safety and health practices, selection and applications of electrodes for vertical SMAW, vertical SMAW joints, and vertical SMAW to specification.4093WELD1070Overhead Shielded Metal Arc Welding4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: WELD 1000
Introduces the major theory, safety practices, and techniques required for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in the overhead position. Qualification tests, overhead position, are used in the evaluation of student progress toward making industrial standard welds. Topics include: Overhead SMAW safety and health practices, selection and applications of electrodes for overhead SMAW, overhead SMAW joints, and overhead SMAW to specifications.4095WELD1090Gas Metal Arc Welding4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: WELD 1000
Provides knowledge of theory, safety practices, equipment and techniques required for successful gas metal arc welding. Qualification tests, all positions, are used in the evaluation of student progress toward making industrial standard welds. Topics include: GMAW safety and health practices, GMAW theory, machines, and set up; transfer modes; wire selection; shielded gas selection; and GMAW joints in all positions.4098WELD 1110Gas Tungsten Arc Welding4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: WELD 1000
Provides knowledge of theory, safety practices, inert gas, equipment and techniques required for successful gas tungsten arc welding. Qualification tests, all positions, are used in the evaluating of student progress toward making industrial standard welds. Topics include: GTAW safety and health practices; shielding gases; metal cleaning procedures; GTAW machines and set up; selection of filler rods; GTAW weld positions; and production of GTAW beads, bead patterns, and joints.4100WELD1120Preparation for Industrial Qualification4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: WELD 1000
Introduces industrial qualification methods, procedures, and requirements. Students are prepared to meet the qualification criteria of selected national welding codes and standards. Topics include: test methods and procedures, national industrial codes and standards, fillet and groove weld specimens, and preparation for qualifications and job entry.4102Occupational Elective Requirement - 6 Credit Hours:COLL1060Introduction to College and Computers3 credit hours50 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
This course is designed to provide tools to assist students in the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen program of study. Topics include: Getting to Know Your College, Learning Styles, Computer Literacy, Time and Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Studying and Test-Taking Skills, and Communication Skills.3741XXXXXXXXOccupational Elective3 credit hours0 contact hoursPrerequisites:
1069
