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Welding

Welders and cutters use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts. They also fill holes, indentations, or seams of metal products.

welding1000

Welder – Entry Level

48.0508.01

Courses

Cutting Process
Blueprint Reading for Welding
Basic Welding
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Career Ready

Kentucky DOT3-G AWS Certifications

Post Secondary Education

West Kentucky Community & Technical College
Associate in Applied Science General Occupational/Technical Studies

Career Information

Work Environment

Welders and cutters may work outdoors, often in inclement weather, or indoors, sometimes in a confined area. They may work on a scaffold, high off the ground, and they occasionally must lift heavy objects and work in awkward positions. Although most work full time, overtime is common.

How to Become a Welder or Cutter

A high school diploma or equivalent combined with technical and on-the-job training is typically required to become a welder or cutter.

Pay

The median annual wage for welders and cutters was $40,240 in May 2017.

Job Outlook

Employment of welders and cutters is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The nation’s aging infrastructure will require the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers to help rebuild bridges, highways and buildings. Skilled welders with up-to-date training should have good job opportunities.

Courses

Welder – Entry Level Career Pathway 4 Year Course of Studies

Freshman
English
Math
Science
Social Studies*
Career Options Level 1
Health/PE
Elective
Sophomore
English
Math*
Science
Social Studies*
Basic Welding
Cutting Processes/Blueprint Reading for Weld
Elective
Junior
English*
Math*
Science*
Social Studies*
GMAW
SMAW
Elective†
Elective
Senior
English*
Math*
Arts & Humanities
Elective†
Special Problems in Welding
Elective
Elective
* Advanced Placement Options     † Dual Credit

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