Start Your Career Fast with a Welding Technology Certificate
Looking for a quick and effective way to enter the welding industry? The Welding Technology Certificate program at Iowa Lakes is a one-term, AWS Certified, fast-track program designed to provide the essential welding skills and hands-on training needed to launch your career. Whether you’re looking to start a new career, enhance your skills, or add welding to your existing trade knowledge, this program equips you with the fundamental techniques and industry certifications employers seek.
Train in state-of-the-art welding labs with industry-standard equipment while learning welding fundamentals, blueprint reading, and fabrication techniques. This program covers shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)—all crucial for careers in manufacturing, construction, fabrication, and repair.
With strong industry partnerships and on-the-job training opportunities, students graduate job-ready in just one term. Many students secure employment before completing the program, thanks to Iowa Lakes’ connections with local and regional manufacturers, construction firms, and fabrication shops.
Explore career opportunities and wage expectations through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers Outlook. Ready to get started? Connect with an enrollment coach today and take the first step toward a future in welding!
Find Your It!
Hands-On Training & Certification Opportunities
Get the Skills You Need for Immediate Job Placement
The Welding Certificate program at Iowa Lakes is ideal for students looking to enter the workforce quickly with foundational welding training in:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – Structural welding techniques
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) – Industrial and manufacturing applications
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG) – Precision welding for specialty metals
- Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) – Heavy-duty welding for construction and fabrication
- Blueprint reading and welding safety procedures
Continue Your Education with a Diploma
Students who complete the Welding Certificate program can expand their skills by continuing into the Welding Technology Diploma, opening doors to higher-paying careers in advanced welding techniques, fabrication management, and robotic welding technology.
With welding professionals in high demand, Iowa Lakes provides the technical training, industry certifications, and hands-on experience needed for a successful and rewarding career.
Program Details
Length
1 term
Degree
Certificate (21 credits)
Campus
Emmetsburg
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
BUS 161 – Human Relations†
Students are given the opportunity to apply human relations concepts and evaluate experience and observations. Social skills required in various occupational settings will be developed, emphasizing how appropriate personal attitudes lead to social and business success.
WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting
Oxy-acetylene welding in correlation with identification of metals; care and use of welding equipment; selection of rods and fluxes; and safety. Lecture and laboratory. (Formerly WE-111C)
WEL 179 – Special Processes/Procedures
Ferrous to ferrous, nonferrous to nonferrous hard surfacing used in the welding field today. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting
WEL 244 – Gas Metal Arc Welding Short Circuit Transfer
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques of Gas Metal Arc Welding Short-Circuiting Transfer. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel, in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended. This course aligns with SENSE Level 1 Module 5 Key Indicators 1-7.
WEL 245 – Gas Metal Arc Welding Spray Transfer
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques of Gas Metal Arc Welding Spray Transfer. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel in flat and horizontal positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for it’s successful completion. It aligns with SENSE Level 1 Module 5 Key Indicators 1, 2 and 8-12, as well as Module 2 – Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 251 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Carbon Steel
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for successful completion of this course. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1, Module 7 – Key Indicators 1-7, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 252 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Aluminum
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques for gas tungsten arc welding. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on aluminum in flat and horizontal positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for successful completion of this course. This course aligns to SENSE Level I, Module 7 Key Indicators 1, 2 and 13 – 17, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 253 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Austenitic Stainless Steel
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on austenitic stainless steel in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for successful completion of this course. This course aligns to SENSE Level I, Module 7 Key Indicators 1, 2 and 8-12 as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 275 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
Focuses on safety, amperage settings, polarity and the proper selection of electrodes for the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (informally known as stick welding) process. Students perform American Welding Society complaint welds on carbon steel, in vertical up and overhead configurations, using visual and destructive methods for determining weld quality. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1 Module 4: Shielded Metal Arc Welding Key Indicators 1-7 for the flat and horizontal positions, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Welding Technology program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Demonstrate excellent manual welding skills.
- Operate the tools and equipment necessary for manual and semi-automatic welding processes.
- Produce welds using:
• Oxyfuel welding
• Shielded metal arc welding
• Gas metal arc welding
• Gas tungsten arc welding
• Flux Core arc welding - Produce cuts on oxyfuel cutting torch and plasma cutting torch.
- Demonstrate pride in his/her knowledge and skill.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining a Welding certificate from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Industry Certifications & Workforce Readiness
Employers prefer certified welders, and Iowa Lakes helps students earn valuable industry credentials to enhance job opportunities. Certification options include:
- American Welding Society (AWS) certifications
- OSHA safety certifications
- Industry-recognized welding qualifications
With Iowa Lakes’ strong employer partnerships, students gain real-world welding experience through hands-on projects and industry collaboration. Many students secure employment before graduating, with opportunities in the manufacturing, construction, metal fabrication, and repair industries.
Additional Information
Iowa Lakes Welding Program has been designated an Educational Institution Member of the American Welding Society (AWS) as an AWS Level 1 and Level 2 SENSE School (Schools Excelling through National Standards Education). All graduating students will be entered into the national registry and receive a participation certificate. Students take both a written test and a performance test.
As an AWS Accredited Training Facility (ATF), the college is listed as a certified participating organization on the national registry.
As an Accredited Testing Facility, Iowa Lakes is vital in certifying welders through the AWS Certified welding program. Iowa Lakes welding students have the opportunity to take a Welder Performance Qualification Exam and obtain a Certified Welder Certification Document.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
.2%
Potential Careers
Manufacturing, Pipeline Welding, Self Employment, Fabrication, Ship Construction, Structural Steel Worker
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$50,107
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$52,640
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Morgan Clabaugh Welding Program Instructor 712-852-5272 | mclabaugh@iowalakes.edu |
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Joseph Holtz Welding Instructor 712-852-5233 | jholtz@iowalakes.edu |