Let the sparks fly!
Extensive hands on experience will enable you to obtain employment in a wide spectrum of areas with high earning potential. Our Industrial Welding and Metal Fabrication degree program has been designed to provide you with a state of the art education in a shop filled with industry standard equipment.
As one of 10 nationwide regional training facilities for Miller Electric, Helena College students are afforded advanced opportunities using the newest technologies. The primary goal in the first year of the Welding Technology program is to give students the skills and instruction they need to enter the welding industry. With an emphasis on safety, students will receive hands-on, theoretical, and technical training in rigging, job estimation, blueprint reading, and layout and pattern making. In addition, students will receive extensive lab training in a wide variety of welding processes including S.M.A.W. (stick electrode), G.M.A.W. (wire processes), Pulse M.I.G., T.I.G., and plasma cutting. The focus of the training is to give the students the skills necessary to successfully pass American Welding Society (A.W.S.) certifications. Students will also receive introductory instruction in design and fabrication, thus allowing them to perform repairs and fabricate projects. The second year of the Welding Technology program is designed to teach students how to use their skills performing advanced fabrication and repair work on actual projects. Students will learn advanced fabrication techniques using a variety of equipment including shears, bending breaks, forming rolls, punches, drill presses, and track torches. This may include anything from a simple welding repair to re-facing a D-9 Cat blade. Students will also receive training in various methods of pipe welding with an opportunity to take the A.W.S. certification test. Second year students will be given instruction in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) burn table programming and operation using Auto-CAD and Shop Data Systems software. Entry into second year is by application only.
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of industry standards for safety and compliance
- Demonstrate the proper use of manufacturing equipment
- Apply proper techniques for analyzing and producing drawings
- Demonstrate an understanding of welding processes, codes, and procedures
- Differentiate manufacturing processes and their applicability
- Enter the workforce with entry level skills
- Exhibit good work ethic with an emphasis on safety and professionalism
Helena College’s Welding Program is proudly affiliated with the American Welding Society through an Institutional Educational Membership. We hold our students to the highest standards set by the American Welding Society.
Welding Technology C.A.S.
Gainful Employment Information
First Semester Courses
Course # |
Title |
WLDG107 |
Industrial Safety for Welding |
WLDG112 |
Cutting Processes |
WLDG135 |
GMAW Theory and Practical Application |
WLDG181 |
SMAW Theory and Practical Application |
M111T |
Technical Mathematics |
Second Semester Courses
Course # |
Title |
WLDG117 |
Blueprint Reading and Weld Symbols |
WLDG131 |
Layout, Metal Forming, and Fabrication |
WLDG141 |
GTAW Theory and Practical Application |
WLDG151 |
Shop Practices |
WRIT121T |
Introduction to Technical Writing |
COMX106 |
Communicating in a Dynamic Workplace |
Industrial Welding and Metal Fabrication A.A.S.
First Semester Courses
Course # |
Title |
WLDG107 |
Industrial Safety for Welding |
WLDG112 |
Cutting Processes |
WLDG135 |
GMAW Theory and Practical Application |
WLDG181 |
SMAW Theory and Practical Application |
M111T |
Technical Mathematics |
Second Semester Courses
Course # |
Title |
WLDG117 |
Blueprint Reading and Weld Symbols |
WLDG131 |
Layout, Metal Forming, and Fabrication |
WLDG141 |
GTAW Theory and Practical Application |
WLDG151 |
Shop Practices |
WRIT121T |
Introduction to Technical Writing |
Third Semester Courses
Course # |
Title |
WLDG227 |
Advanced Joining Processes Theory and Practical Application |
WLDG257 |
Cutting Processes II |
WLDG246 |
Advanced Metal Forming and Fabrication Theory and Practical Application |
COMX106 |
Communicating in a Dynamic Workplace |
Fourth Semester Courses
Course # |
Title |
WLDG213 |
Pipe Welding Lab I |
WLDG245 |
Metal Fabrication Design and Construction |
WLDG299 |
Industrial Welding Capstone |
Welding: Industrial Welding and Metal Fabrication Tool Set
$800 (Approximately)
- Welding Hood – Standard with 9-11 shade or Auto Darkening
- Construction Calculator (NOT ESTIMATOR)
- Cutting Goggles – #5 Shade
- 4-1/2” Grinder with Guard
- Chipping Hammer
- Standard Allen Wrench Set
- Friction Lighter
- Phillips and Flathead Screwdrivers
- Tip Cleaner
- Open end Wrench Set up to ¾”
- Wire Brush – 2 each
- Roll of Electrical Tape
- 8” Slip Joint Pliers
- 10” Spring Dividers
- MIG Pliers
- Small Drafting Kit complete with 45 and 30 degree Triangles
- Cleaning Picks
- 3/8” drive socket set
- Small Flashlight
- Carpenters Square
- 10” Crescent Wrench
- Sharpies
- 25’ Tape Measure
- Magnetic Torpedo Level
- Soap Stone Holder with Soap Stone
- 24” Flex Ruler
- Scribe with Magnet on End
- Knotted Wire Wheel for 4-1/2” grinder
- Ball Peen Hammer
- 4-piece File Set
- Silver Marking Pencil
- Small Punch Set with Center Punch, Chisel, Pin Punch and Drift Punch
- Fillet Weld Gauges
- Program Uniform
- Three Piece Combination Square with Centering Head and Angle Head
- 2 Uniform Shirts