This program introduces students to the basics of welding principles. Students will learn hands-on skills entrenched in theory on the following topics, welding safety, metal preparation, measuring, cutting, project layout, blueprint reading, to become knowledgeable about basic metal fabrication. The students will have the opportunity to learn the different types of welding including thermal arc cutting to include oxy-fuel, plasma, and thermal arc. Welding processes will include SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), GMAW (gas metal arc welding), GTAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). A first-year student would focus on working in the flat position on carbon steel in a variety of thicknesses and cover all of five of the joint types. A second-year student would focus on perfecting everything from their first year and move on to out of position welding to include horizontal, vertical and overhead. These applications will be used on a variety of materials to include carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Skills that make a good welder include:
Good manual dexterity
Excellent hand-eye coordination
An inquisitive mind to design and build a variety of products
An open-minded approach to learning new skills and techniques
Good communication skills
The ability to “think outside the box” in solving problems
Career Opportunities in the WeldingField:
Aerospace
Agriculture
Automotive manufacture and repair
Chemical processing
Construction
General manufacturing
Iron Worker
Oil and gas extraction
Pipefitter
Sheet Metal Worker
Underwater welding
Affiliated jobs within those industries include:
Apprentice
Inspection
Education
Fabricator
Forman
Journeyman
Post-secondary administrator, professor or associate professor; secondary administrator or welding teacher
Technical Sales
Distributor owner, manufacturer sales rep, distributor of outside or counter sales
Artistic Welding
Metal sculpture, garden furniture, decorative ironwork in gates, window grilles and balconies
Welders Helper
Articulation Agreements:
Contact Information:Nick Conklin, TeacherPhone: (845) 295-4152 or e-mail: nicholas.conklin@scboces.org