Welding Technology

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Get hands-on experience in our Welding Technology program. With our experienced instructors, you’ll learn welding techniques, safety procedures, and other trade essentials. Become a skilled combination welder and enjoy a lucrative career after WCJC.

Program Details

Learn more about our Welding Technology program and find course descriptions in the WCJC Catalog.

Our Welding Technology Level I Certificate program teaches the theory and application of shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux cord arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. You’ll learn all positions, layout, fabrication, blueprint reading, safety, metallurgy and gain experience in welding processes, carbon arc gouging, and cutting/beveling techniques. 

Courses do not have to be taken as a semester block; you can register for them individually. This program is offered at the Wharton Campus only.

After completing the program, you’ll have the in-depth training and skills to pursue entry-level employment in a variety of settings. Find a career as a welder in ...

  • Pipe Welding
  • Structural Welding
  • Code Welding
  • Pressure Vessel Welding
  • Ship Building
  • Light or Heavy Fabrication

Find more information, including wages and education requirements, on Career Coach!

Train for a Lucrative Career

Welding Technology Play Video

Discover the possibilities with WCJC’s Welding Technology program. Hear what our welding students share about their experience in the program.  

Program Requirements

To be a WCJC welding technology student, you must complete these requirements and purchase instructional supplies and materials specific to the program.

To join the welding program, you must:

  1. Apply to WCJC and meet the admission requirements for all students. College entrance testing (TSI) is not required for acceptance to this program.
  2. Provide your own tools and personal protective equipment.
  3. Maintain a 2.0 GPA

Program Costs

  • Tuition/Fees In-District:  $6,720
  • Tuition/Fees Out-District:  $9,160
  • Books$400 (estimate)
  • PPE, Supplies and Equipment:  $1000 (estimate)

Welding Program Stats

84%
employment rate after graduation
19
industry recognized certificates earned by the end of the program
63%
of students received some form of financial aid

Meet Our Faculty

If you have specific questions about the program, contact the Program Director, Mr. Aaron Dittmar, at DittmarA@wcjc.edu

Aaron Dittmar

Program Director and Instructor of Welding
  • A.A. in Welding, WCJC
  • Cert. Welding Technology, WCJC
  • Cert. Welding Instruction, NCCER
  • Cert. AWS D1.1, ASME Sect.IX

Office: Wharton Campus, Reynolds Building 106
Phone: (979) 532-6952
Email: dittmara@wcjc.edu

Sean Franco

Instructor of Welding
  • Cert. Welding Technology, WCJC
  • Cert. Pipe Fitter, NCCER
  • Cert. AWS D1.1, ASME Sect.IX

OfficeWharton Campus, Reynolds Building 106
Phone: (979) 532-6952
Email: francos@wcjc.edu

Aaron Wilson

Instructor of Welding, Part-Time
  • M.S., SHSU
  • B.A., SHSU
  • CERT. AWS D1.1 and D1.9
Email: WilsonA@wcjc.edu

Kevin Williams

Instructor of Welding, Part-Time
  • Cert. Welding Technology, WCJC
  • Cert. AWS D1.1, ASME Sect.IX
Email: WilliamsKe@wcjc.edu

Additional Program Information

Successful graduates will complete the program with several industry recognized certificates including ...

  • Combination Welding Course Completion Certificate, issued by WCJC.
  • Fillet Break Test Certificate (2) - Welder Qualification test 2F and 3F D1.1
  • Plate Bend Test Certificate (2) - Welder Qualification test 3G and 4G D1.1
  • Pipe Bend Test Certificate (2) - Welder Qualification test 6G GTAW and cG SMAW ASME Sect. IV

In addition, successful students receive 12+ AWS certificates through the American Welding Society Online Library for:

  • Science of Non Destructive Testing
  • Welding Safety
  • Welding Fundamentals I
  • Welding Fundamentals II
  • Welding Fundamentals III
  • Welding Symbols
  • Metallurgy I
  • Metallurgy II
  • Fabrication Math I
  • Fabrication Math II
  • Destructive Testing
  • Welding Economics
  • Efram Abrams AWS, Miami, FL
  • Frank Becak WCJC, Wharton, TX
  • John Cochrum Trailer Place, Wharton, TX
  • Scott Guidry AllTex Welding Supply, Waller, TX
  • Keith Hopkins TIC/Kiewit, Cameron, LA
  • Albert Perez KW Industries, Sugar Land, TX
  • Danny Rejda Inspection and Custom Fabrication, Owasso, OK
  • Brian Rodriguez Linde Gas & Equipment, Bay City, TX
  • Michael Skinkle Fluor Enterprises, Sugar Land, TX
  • Jared Stackman Schlumberger, Richmond, TX

Below is a list of tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for the Welding Program.  Keep in mind, tools for some classes are the same.  Duplicate hand tools should not be purchased unless the tool brakes or needs replacing.  Consumable parts listed for each class should have sufficient quantities listed but sometimes students work through them and may need extras. 

Everything can be purchased through welding supply stores such as Praxair and Airgas.  They stock or can order what you need.  Amazon can also be a good resource.  Students will have approximately 2 weeks from the start of the semester to have all tools and supplies needed for their enrolled classes.

Welding Hoods-

The welding hood we recommended is a fixed lens Fibremetal Pipe-liner, with Welding shade filter # 11. The filter should be made of glass and not plastic. We advise against cheap auto darkening hoods. They malfunction; have battery issues, lack visual clarity and break. All hoods will need at least a dozen clear poly carbonate cover lens. Cover lens wear out quick and reduce welder’s ability to see.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - These items are needed for all welding classes.  All clothing must be 100% cotton or fire resistant.

  • Pants (3-5 pair) - blue jeans are fine
  • Shirts (3-5 pair) - must be long sleeve cotton shirts. (Wrangler, Forge, etc,) No short sleeves allowed in lab
  • Coveralls (3-5 pair) are an allowable option it students have them but must be fire resistant
  • Cape Sleeves (leather) or leather Jacket - approved welding gear only. No hoodies or sweatshirts. Jackets must be fireproof material or leather. Cape Sleeve leathers are recommended
  • Footwear - only leather boots with a rubber sole. A slip on boot is preferred but lace up boots will be allowed
  • Head protection - welding caps (3-5)
  • Eye protection - clear safety glasses (2 pairs). Not tinted or mirror tint. Glasses must be OSHA rated Z87
  • Eye protection - cutting glasses (2 pairs). Shade #5. Glasses must be OSHA rated Z87
  • Eye protecton - grinding shield (1 piece). Clear and shade 5 shields are recommended

Intro to SMAW 1428 Tool List

  • Pipe liner hood - fixed lens type hoods only - No auto darkening hoods
  • Shade 11 filter - gold lens preferred. Glass filters only. 12- Polycarbonate clear cover lens for welding hood
  • 4” grinder
  • Grinding wheels (4- ¼”)
  • Extension cord
  • Adjustable wrench - medium or large size
  • Chipping hammer - Tomahawk style preferred
  • Wire brush
  • Heavy stick welding gloves - 2 pair. Tillman gloves preferred
  • Tape measure- 25 ft
  • Ball peen hammer - 16 ounce or bigger
  • Vice grip C-clamp - 2 clamps (4")
  • Soapstone-with soapstone-holder
  • Striker
  • Torch tip cleaner
  • Fillet Weld Gage Set

Intro to FCAW Tool list 1412/ 2452

Parts for Bernard Gun- Q3015AE8XMC –TT series tips (do not buy this gun, the gun type and number are just for reference.)

  • Contact tips .035 – 1 pack-TT series-GMAW
  • Contact tips .045 – 1pack-T series-Flux
  • Nozzles – (2) NT-3800C (3/8 ID)-GMAW
  • Nozzles – (2) N-5818C ( 5/8 ID)-Flux
  • MIG Gloves
  • MIG Pliers(Whelpers)
  • Nozzle dip

Tools

  • Pipe liner hood-Fixed lens type hoods only- No auto darkening hoods
  • Shade 11 filter- Gold lens preferred. Glass filters only. 12- Polycarbonate clear cover lens for welding hood.
  • 4” grinder
  • Grinding wheels (4- ¼”)
  • Extension cord
  • Adjustable wrench - medium or large size
  • Chipping hammer - Tomahawk style preferred
  • Wire brush
  • Heavy stick welding gloves - 2 pair/ Tillman gloves preferred
  • Tape measure - 25ft
  • Ball peen Hammer - 16 ounce or bigger
  • Vice grip C-clamp - 2 clamps (4”)
  • Soapstone-with soapstone-holder
  • Striker
  • Torch tip cleaner
  • Fillet Weld Gage Set
  • Cone Rock - 5/8” arbor

1417 Layout and Fabrication Tool List

  • Tape measure 25’ or larger
  • Framing square- large
  • Speed square- small or large
  • Ball peen hammer - 16 ounce or bigger
  • Soap stones (pack)
  • Torpedo level - magnetic
  • Vice grip C-clamp

1434 Intro to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Supply Sheet

  • Radnor - 17FV- 25-R (Flex Head Torch) optional higher amperage torches may be purchased as long as they are flex heads and will adapt to our set up. (Note: Torches must be a minimum of 150 amp, have a gas valve on head, and must be flex head. Do not buy a rigid head torch. Any brand may be purchased)
  • Power Cable Adapter - model 105Z57. Reference torch model for correct adaptor
  • Gas hose (green) – 3’ or 4’ up to 25’
  • Long End Cap - need 2
  • Jumbo gasket/insulator - need 2
  • Jumbo Gas Lens 1/8” - need 2
  • Jumbo cups size # 8-10-12 and you need 2 of each size
  • 1/8” collets - 1 pack
  • 1/8” Tungsten – Red 2% Thoriated (radioactive) welds the best and is recommended. Suitable substitute would be 1.5% Lanthanated Tungsten (Gold- non radioactive). Do not buy the Purple tungsten. It does not carry the arc properly.- 1 Pack
  • 4 ½” Grinder 
  • Grinding Wheels – 4- ¼” grinding wheels
  • Gloves - get M.I.G. gloves not the light-weight T.I.G gloves - 2 pair
  • I.G pliers
  • Clear Safety Glass rated Z87- no tinted or mirror tint glasses.
  • Hood Filter Shade #11- Glass Gold lens recommended
  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Vice Grip C- Clamps -beed 2

1457 - Intermediate SMAW

  • Tools from Intro 1428 class should be used
  • Gloves
  • 4 - 1/4” and 1/8” grinding wheels
  • 1 - clear safety glasses

1435 - Intro to Pipe

  • Gloves
  • 4 - 1/8” grinding wheels
  • 1 - clear safety glasses
  • 1 - half round bastard file
  • 1 - cone rock

2453 - Advanced pipe

  • Tools from1435 intro class should be used
  • Gloves
  • 4 - 1/8” and ¼” grinding wheels
  • 1 - clear safety glasses
  • 1 - cone rock

2451 - Advanced GTAW

  • Tools from intro 1434 class should be used
  • Gloves
  • 2 - 1/8” and ¼” grinding wheels
  • 1 - clear safety glasses
  • 1 - cone rock

2452 - Advanced FCAW

  • Tools from intro 1412 class should be used
  • Gloves and Cone rock
  • 2 - 1/4” and 1/8” grinding wheels
  • 1 - clear safety glasses
  • Contact tips .045 – 1pack - T series - Flux
  • Nozzles – (2) N-5818C ( 5/8 ID)- Flux