Welding
Technical Diploma
32 Credits | 1 Year
Financial Aid-Eligible
Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior
Career Cluster: Manufacturing
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Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
Learn the latest skills from experienced instructors who will provide you with plenty of hands-on training. Northwood Tech follows the American Welding Society Skill Standards to provide you with knowledge and skills in welding theory, fabrication, layout, print reading, welding symbols, math and welding codes.
Program Overview
The Welding program teaches safety during all aspects of welding and cutting. Safety is the most important aspect of proper workmanship. Next, you will be taught the science and art of cutting, fabricating and welding using the latest equipment and technologies. Most entry-level welders can expect to be employed full time with full fringe benefits. Their duties can include fabricating parts and assemblies by reading blueprints, codes, specifications, weld symbols and drawings. Beginners can assist with material preparation, tack up, fitting and finally welding when you prove your ability in the workplace. The work can be physically demanding. Welding requires good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Other essential employability skills include paying attention to details, working well with others in teams, having good communication skills, a positive attitude, excellent attendance and punctuality, and a good work ethic. Manual, semi-automatic and robotic welding will all continue to enjoy strong demand for the foreseeable future.
Program Outcomes
Welding graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate industry-recognized safety practices
- Interpret welding drawings
- Produce shielded metal arc welds (SMAW)
- Produce gas metal arc welds (GMAW)
- Produce flux core welds
- Produce gas tungsten arc welds (GTAW)
- Perform cutting operations
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
You will spend a majority of your time in the lab practicing different welding and cutting processes along with fabricating a number of different projects. Northwood Tech's welding labs are equipped with the latest welding technology. You will learn to use a CNC plasma cutter, robotic welder, weld simulator along with SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW welding machines.
Learn by doing.
Highly skilled.
Current technology.
Academics
Welding program graduates will demonstrate industry-recognized safety practices, interpret welding drawings, produce shielded metal arc welds (SMAW), produce gas metal arc welds (GMAW), produce flux core welds, produce gas tungsten arc welds (GTAW) and perform cutting operations.
Hearing protection is required in all Northwood Tech welding labs.
Experienced Instructors
Northwood Tech's welding instructors have extensive occupational experience and education. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom to ensure that graduates leave with a solid foundation to start their career in the welding industry.
Convenient Learning
For your convenience, you can take Welding at any one of Northwood Tech's four locations. The New Richmond and Superior campuses offer both a daytime and evening option for the Welding program.
AWS Standards
Students are taught welding skills and theory, fabrication, layout, print reading, welding symbols, math and welding codes based on the American Welding Society Skill Standards.
Required Courses
Program-specific subjects covered include shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux-cored arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding as well as printing reading and fabrication. Oxy/Fuel cutting and plasma cutting are also an important part of the welding required courses. Robotic welding and CNC plasma cutting are incorporated in Fabrication and Print Reading course work.
Featured Welding Courses
Welding is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Welding student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!
These technical diplomas are embedded in the Welding program.
Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW)
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Welding/Maintenance and Fabrication
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Continue your education to earn your bachelor's degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Welding
32 Credits | 1 Year
$6,850
Plus $550 for tools, supplies and uniforms
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Welding Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn technical diplomas in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Welding/Maintenance and Fabrication, and Welding.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
