This 9 month program provides instruction and experience in several different kinds of welding including oxyacetylene welding, arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, MIG, TIG, GTAW and plasma. Welding materials range from sixteenth-inch sheet metal to inch-thick plate and include iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum and other common alloys. Safety is a primary concern at all times.
Students practice welding in all four positions developing skill and hand-eye coordination. In addition to welding, students also learn fabrication skills such as cutting and bending metal with special emphasis on layout and fabrication. Upon completion of the program a student will be able to complete a project which includes reading blueprints, performing necessary calculations, cutting, bending, assembling and welding the project.

Students have the option of working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree. Salina Tech has articulation agreements with several degree granting institutions.

                                                    Curriculum

First Semester
WELD 105 Welding Theory
This course will prepare students to work in industrial welding shop settings. Students will study the cause and prevention of accidents in shop and industry. First aid and emergency procedures will be covered. Safety, housekeeping, proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment will be emphasized.

WELD 135 Welding Math
Math instruction is designed to assist students in solving math problems they will encounter as welders.

WELD 150 Welding Blueprint Reading
The Welding Blueprint Reading course is an introduction to blueprint reading and drawing procedures used in the production and fabrication areas of the welding industry. This course involves shape description, size description, and freehand sketching. It incorporates the reading and drawing of welding symbols as well as interpretation of industrial drawings used in the welding industry. The course includes applied math for welders, consisting of a review of fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio/proportion calculations, and tape measure reading. This course will also include applications to live welding projects.

WELD 110 Oxy-Fuel Welding
This course introduces the basic principles and fundamentals of the oxy-fuel welding. Oxy-fuel processes, equipment, and safety will be addressed along with the appropriate and safe methods of producing and handling industrial gasses. Students will develop the skills needed to produce acceptable basic oxy-fuel welds.

WELD 106A Cutting Processes
This course introduces metal cutting and will include cutting of ferrous and nonferrous materials with manual, motor driven, and oxy-fuel shape cutting equipment. Also included are plasma-arc cutting (PAC) and carbon arc cutting (CAC-A). Safety, equipment and the basic fundamentals of cutting processes will be introduced.

WELD 111 Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
The Shielded Metal Arc Welding I course includes hands on application of industrial welding components including safety, identification, set up, and use of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) equipment. Students will perform a variety of welds in the flat and horizontal positions with various electrodes.

WELD 115 Gas Metal Arc Welding I
The Gas Metal Arc Welding I course includes instruction on proper equipment set up, the development of technical and manipulative skills, and performance of correct safety precautions and techniques utilized in gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Welding Technology course Welding Theory (WELD 105) is a prerequisite for this course.

WELD 112 Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
This course continues the study of shielded metal arc welding providing more in depth instruction on the identification, set up, and use of shielded metal arc welding in an industrial setting. The course will review safety and equipment maintenance. Prerequisites for this course are Welding Technology classes: Welding Theory (WELD 105) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding I (WELD 111).

Second Semester
WELD 215 Gas Metal Arc Welding II
This course continues the development of skills and knowledge of gas metal arc welding. It will include a review of safety precautions and procedures and proper equipment set up. Advanced techniques on joint preparation and welding in all positions will be emphasized. Prerequisites for this course are Welding Technology classes: Welding Theory (WELD 105) and Gas Metal Arc Welding I (WELD115).

WELD 223 Core Wire Welding
This course will provide instruction in the use of a variety of core wire electrodes. The student will develop skills and knowledge in using various metals and joints and in performing various welds in all positions. Prerequisites for this course are Welding Technology classes: Welding Theory (WELD105) and Gas Metal Arc Welding I (WELD 115).

WELD 116 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I
This course introduces the basic principles and fundamentals of gas tungsten arc welding. Students will learn to safely set the power source of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) equipment to the correct parameters. Students will perform GTAW welds on various metals, and in multiple positions, meeting industry standards. Prerequisite for this course is Welding Technology course: Welding Theory (WELD 105).

WELD 216 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II
This course continues the study of the principles and fundamentals of gas tungsten arc welding. Students will review procedures to safely set the power source of a Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) to the correct parameters. Students will continue to develop their skills in performing GTAW welds on various metals, and in multiple positions, meeting industry standards. Prerequisite for this course is Welding Technology course: Welding Theory (WELD 105) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding1 (WELD 116).

WELD 120 Fabrication and Production
This course covers welding processes used in industry. It includes arc, oxyacetylene, MIG, soldering, brazing, fabrication, and spot welding Testing, safety procedures and robotic equipment are also covered in the Fabrication and Production course.

WELD 106B Cutting Processes
This course continues the development of skills and knowledge of cutting processes used in the welding industry. It will include metal cutting of both ferrous and nonferrous materials, and operation of manual, motor driven, and oxy-fuel shape cutting equipment. Also included are plasma-arc cutting (PAC) and carbon arc cutting (CAC-A). This course will also focus on equipment maintenance and safety, and continued development of cutting technique skills. Prerequisite for this course: Welding Technology course: Cutting Processes I (WELD 106A).

WT 121 Welding Specialization
The Welding Specialization course offers experience in all subjects included in the Welding Technology curriculum. Students work with intershield welding processes, aluminum spool gun, plasma arc cutting, arc air cutting and leveling, hardsurfacing and buildup, pipe welding, cutting and fit up. Previously learned skills are applied to fabrication of individual student projects. Prerequisites for this course: Welding Technology course Fabrication and Production (WELD 120).

Related Instruction
Assignments such as science, computer applications, applied communications and other courses will be integrated throughout the curriculum.

Enrollment Information
Enrollment for secondary and post-secondary students is based on first come, first serve by the date the signed application and campus/program fee is received in Student Services. Students are not considered enrolled until the application and fee are received. Cost information is subject to change without notice.

Welding Technology is open to post-secondary students and high school juniors and seniors who qualify.

Welding Technology Tool List

High school students have the option of renting tools from Salina Tech or purchasing their own. Tools and uniforms are purchased from vendors. Only a limited number of tool kits are available for rent. Therefore, enrollment does not guarantee availability of rental tools. Contact Student Services for more information.


Career Placement
Each student who completes a program will be assisted by the department instructors in securing desirable employment. While Salina Tech graduates have historically enjoyed a high rate of placement, the school does not guarantee job placement.


Career Opportunities
♦ General welders
♦ Maintenance welders
♦ Production welders
♦ General layout technicians
♦ Cutters
♦ Burners


For more information or to enroll in a program, please contact:
Salina Area Technical School • 2562 Centennial Road, Salina, KS 67401
Phone: 785-309-3100 or 1-800-466-7989 • FAX: 785-309-3101


Salina Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, and veteran status on admissions, educational programs, and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.

Rev. 06/07