Welding Technology Overview
Create sparks at your job. Join one of the hottest careers right now in the manufacturing industry – welding. Southwestern Michigan College’s Welding Technology program offers students a chance to earn a certificate within three semesters and become registered with the American Welding Society.
SMC’s welding facility, located at the Niles Area Campus, houses 22 welding booths with individualized lighting and controls, as well as offering students the latest in welding technology. The Welding Technology program is certified through the American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Program. Students can attain an AWS Entry Level Welder certification, which allows them to be registered on the national listing.
The demand for welders who have the skills to work in a high-tech manufacturing facility has expanded the employment opportunities for qualified workers. Additionally, computer skills are important as welding professionals become responsible for programming computer-controlled welding machines, including robots and lasers.
 |
 |
 |
Welding Technology Areas of Study
Basic Welding
GNAW (MIG) Welding
GTAW (TIG) Welding
SNAW (STICK) Welding
Metallurgy for Welders
Thermal Cutting Processes
Blueprint Reading for Welders
Industrial Welding
Maintenance Welding
Pipe Welding
Thermal Cutting Processes
Weld/Fitter Metal Fabrication
Welder Certification
Welder Fabrication and Maintenance
Faculty Contact Information
Michael Chaddock
Welding Technology Instructor
(269) 687-5646
mchaddock@swmich.edu
Janice Stevens
Welding Technology Instructor
(269) 687-5640
jstevens@swmich.edu
Because of the intense hands-on experience which focuses on the manual and semi-automatic welding needs of today’s industry, students will have the ability to weld carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel using the following processes:
- Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or metal inert gas (MIG) welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, and
- Shielded metal arc (SMAW) stick welding
- Multiple thermal cutting & gouging processes
The Welding Technology curriculum is structured so that student can use the program to obtain skills for:
- Entry level industry employment
- Advancement in current employment
- Advanced skills training for specialized processes, and as a
- Self-learning experience for personal welding use
After successful completion of the program, students will have the necessary skills for a variety of employment opportunities, including:
- Industrial welder
- Skilled trades welder
- Welding supervisor
- Welding equipment sales & service
- Welding instructor & trainer
- Self-employed welder
- Product inspection & quality control
- Welding inspector
