Welding

Gain hands-on welding experience while earning a diploma in Welding Technology. Today’s welders are expected to plan, supervise and perform tasks necessary for making, installing and repairing all types of equipment and structures. You will receive hands-on training in welding techniques, skills and use of equipment in our state-of-the-art lab.

Become familiar with welding processes such as Oxy Fuel Welding and Cutting, Brazing and Soldering, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Pipe Welding. You will be trained on special processes such as Robotics and Flux-Cored Arc Welding. Our competency-based program allows you to move at your own pace. Once you reach competency in one area of welding, you’ll move on to the next.

As an AWS Accredited Training Facility (ATF), our program provides you the opportunity to obtain welding certification while attending school. Upon graduation, you’ll enter into the national registry and receive a certificate for your participation.

Whether you choose to pursue a career in manufacturing, pipeline welding or fabrication, you’ll establish the foundational skills and experience needed to thrive right here at Iowa Lakes.

Faculty Contact

Emily Gottsche
Welding Technology Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor
712-852-5272 | egottsche@iowalakes.educreate new email

Program Details

PROGRAM LENGTH: 2 terms

DEGREE: Diploma (35 credits)

CAMPUS: Emmetsburg

Accreditation: America Welding Society Accredited Testing Facility

Did You Know?

Starting Salary: $28,560 | Average Salary: $41,380

Projected Employment Growth: 3%

Special Certifications Available

Last Dollar Scholarship Program

Curriculum

Term 1

Credits: 3

Developing skills in reading, writing and listening as they apply to students’ vocational needs.


Credits: 4

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)


Credits: 1

This course will provide students with orientation to the welding profession and will cover the basics of safety & health within the welding profession. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1, Module 1 and Module 2 – Key Indicators 1-6.


Credits: 3

Provides instruction in interpreting elements of welding prints (drawings or sketches), focusing on measurement, American Welding Society welding symbols, and fabrication re­quirements. Students will understand how to prepare, assemble and tack welding parts according to drawings or sketches, using proper materials and tools. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1 Module 3: Drawing and Welding Symbol Interpretation, Key Indicators 1 and 2.


Credits: 1

Students will visually examine test weldments and thermally cut surfaces per multiple welding codes, standards, and specifica­tions. This course aligns to SENSE Level I, Module 9: Welding Inspection and Testing Principles.


Credits: 3

Focuses on safety, amperage settings, polarity and the proper selection of electrodes for the shielded metal arc welding process. Students will perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel, using visual and destructive methods for deter­mining weld quality. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1 Module 4 – 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.


Credits: 3

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.


Term 2

Credits: 3

A course in elementary mathematical skills for technicians. Topics covered include fundamental operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and signed numbers; percents; geometric figures and basic constructions; area and volume formulas; English/Metric systems; measurements; and basic algebraic equations and applications.

Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score


Credits: 3

Ferrous to ferrous, nonferrous to nonferrous hard surfacing used in the welding field today. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting


Credits: 2

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.


Credits: 2

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 its 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.


Credits: 2

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.


Credits: 1

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.


Credits: 1

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.


Credits: 3

This is an advanced welding course designed to give students theory and application of pipe welding according to the API 1104 welding code. Students will use shielded metal arc welding and oxyfuel welding processes in the horizontal fixed position. Students will complete qualified welding procedures for welding natural gas pipes.

Prerequisites: WEL 228 – Intro to Welding, Safety & Health, WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting & WEL 274 – SMAW I


Additional Information

Accredited Test Facility Logo

Iowa Lakes Welding Program has been designated as 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 will receive a certificate for their participation. Students take both a written test as well as a performance test.

As an AWS Accredited Training Facility (ATF), the college is listed on the national registry as a certified participating organization.

As an Accredited Testing Facility, Iowa Lakes plays a vital role 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.