Certificate of Achievement in Welding

Students will increase technical knowledge and skills necessary for Welding careers in multiple fields. Welding for industry using ARC (FCAW & SMAW), MIG, TIG, and Oxy Acetylene are taught to safely and accurately create welds for multiple workpiece types and situations. Courses include training for beginning, intermediate, and advanced Welders.

(There are no prerequisites for students entering into this sector.)  

The College of Marin is required to have at least 15 students enrolled into each class.  We expect 3 or more completions for this certificate per year for the first year increasing to 5 or more completions in subsequent years.  We base this projection upon the feedback from our Advisory Committee. The newly renovated welding shop will help attract more students.   

The Welding courses at College of Marin are currently part of Machine and Metal Technologies and does not offer certification for Welding. The goal of this new program is to provide a clear pathway for students to become certified and enter a career in welding. This Certificate of Achievement will allow COM Welding students to fulfill the employment needs of the local industry with trained students. Currently most local community colleges offer certifications as well as A.S. degrees in Welding.

Upon completion of the Certificate, we expect students to be able to read and understand mechanical drawings, complete precise measurements while properly and safety use the different welding equipment. Students will learn the differences and applications of ARC (FCAW & SMAW), MIG, TIG, and Oxy Acetylene. Additional training for qualifying for an array of jobs based upon what the local industrial trades require for interns, apprenticeships, and entry-level employees.

  

There are no prerequisites for the first semester of courses. The student will progress from introductory courses to intermediate and then advanced training.  Program learning objectives include successful demonstrations of the following:

• Safety practices        
• Blueprint reading
• Basic understanding and use of tools: drilling, tape measure, grinding, caliber
• Welding (1/8” stick and wire) in all positions
• Basic math and measuring
• Working with different metals 
• Logic/problem solving to build something along with welding
• Grinding and finishing
• TIG welding

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester  (Y1 or S1)
WELD 100	Career Math and Precision Measuring	4.0	S1
WELD 101	Introduction to Welding	4.0	S1
WELD 102	Intermediate GMAW/MIG Welding	2.0	S2
WELD 103	Advanced GMAW/MIG Welding	2.0	S3
WELD 104	Intermediate GTAW/TIG Welding	2.0	S2
WELD 105	Advanced GTAW/TIG Welding	2.0	S3
WELD 106	SMAW Welding	2.0	S2
WELD 107	OFW and Welding Fabrication	2.0	S3
		Total: 20 UNITS

We are in direct contact with area welder's unions including the Boilermakers and Ironworkers not to mention several local businesses. We've consulted them on exactly what students need to learn to go into an apprenticeship and what skills will gain them strong employment.

Please refer to the second attachment for all regional colleges and Welding programs. Alina Varona, Dean Workforce Development and Career Education, checked with Brad Davis, Dean of Workforce Development and Tina Dodson, Director of Workforce Programs at SRJC , the closest college with a welding program. They found no issues.