Welding Technology

Why Welding Technology?
Welding is one of many manufacturing processes and is the most efficient way to join metals.  It is said that more than 50% or all manufactured products made of metal have been welded.  If the welding parts must be permanently joined, welding is the lowest-cost method.  Welded products are lighter weight that those joined by bolting or riveting.  All commercial metals can be welded just about anywhere.  Welding provides a design flexibility not possible with other designs.  Finally, welding is used extensively in the repair of broken and worn parts.

Consider the Welding Technology program at Edison Community College.  It is a unique blend of manual skill training in the major weld processes and technical classroom training.  The purpose of the welding program at ECC is to prepare welding technicians or welding technologists.  The program is intended for students with a variety of backgrounds, including industrial welders with experience, vocational school graduates, high school graduates with a college prep background, and trade school graduates.

There is a need in industry for welding technicians who work as part of a team in support of engineering activities.  Technicians may work for welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, and others, or, in some cases, serve as the plant welding engineer.  Welding technicians get involved in testing and improving welding processes and production, procedures and equipment.  Welding Technology graduates hold titles such as welding technician, welding supervisor, welding inspector and welding sales engineer.

The technical classroom training is structured to provide education that will prepare the student to pass the AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam, the AWS Certified Welding Technician exam, and the AWS Certified Welding Educator exam.  Through articulation agreements, the training at Edison Community College may be transferred to a 4 year degree program in welding.