“You see our students do a lot of different things [after this program] because there is a broad variety of demand. It is a skill that allows students to go to work immediately, but still grow within that skill.”
-- Randy Johnson, Program Head.
Program Overview
Welders are in high demand in shops and various construction locations, and College of Western Idaho (CWI) has programs that can be completed in one year to get you out of the lab and into your new career. This program prepares you for certification with the American Welding Society (AWS). Students learn MIG, TIG, stick arc, plasma, flux core, shielded metal arc, and other welding processes in our newly equipped facilities.
What will you learn to do?
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Perform many welding processes, including:
- Shielded Metal ARC Welding (SMAW) (STICK)
- Gas Metal ARC Welding (GMAW) (MIG)
- Flux Cored ARC Welding (FCAW)
- Gas Tungsten ARC Welding (GTAW) (TIG)
- Perform manual, semi-automatic, and automatic oxygen-acetylene burning
- Perform air carbon ARC and plasma cutting and gouging
- Operate fabrication tools and equipment
- Read blueprints
- Utilize appropriate fabrication techniques
- Maintain quality control
- Identify properties of materials
- Understand basic metallurgy
What kind of degree(s) can you earn?
- Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) – approximately two years
- Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) – approximately 16 months
- Postsecondary Technical Certificate (PTC) – usually less than one year
- Advanced Postsecondary Technical Certificate (PTC) – usually less than one year
What else should you know?
A typical day involves classroom training and hands-on lab experience, with the opportunity to practice on almost a daily basis. This program also prepares you to take welder qualification/certification tests required by the industry.
All students accepted into this program must submit to a drug or alcohol test at the beginning of the program and at their own expense.
Requirements
Degree Plan
- Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) – approximately two years
- Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) – approximately 16 months
- Postsecondary Technical Certificate (PTC) – usually less than one year
- Advanced Postsecondary Technical Certificate (PTC) – usually less than one year
Instructor Info
Program Head:
Randy Johnson
208.562.2345
randyjohnson@cwidaho.cc
Instructor:
Malcolm Diamond
208.562.2344
malcolmdiamond@cwidaho.cc
Career Info
What kind of career can you expect?
Welding graduates are in demand locally, nationally, and internationally. Our students often find positions fabricating new products such as industrial machinery, steel structures, transportation equipment, railroad engines/cars, farm equipment, and more. Many graduates also find excellent self-employment opportunities in both urban and rural areas.
What skills, traits, or prep classes would be helpful?
- Sound math and spatial skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Solid reading skills
- Ability to work well on a team
- Precise attention to detail
