Welding Fabrication
Chemeketa offers degree and certificate options to help you start your welding career.
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Why choose Welding Fabrication?
Welding is a great-paying career with lots of opportunities to explore - it can even be done underwater. If you're ready to commit to a long-term career in welding, Chemeketa is the place to start.
You can complete Chemeketa's welding fabrication degree in just 21 months, or pursue a 10-month certificate with advanced techniques and instruction.
Some program options have enrollment limits and early application deadlines. Class cohorts begin each fall.
What will you learn?
In addition to the fundamentals leading to a career, you will learn advanced arc, MIG, and TIG welding; precision measurement; blueprint reading and sketching; fabrication processes; and metallurgy. Chemeketa's program includes class and lab work as well as cooperative work experiences that will earn you college credits and money.
What will you do?
As a student in the Welding program, you will learn to –
- Set up and operate manual and semi-automatic welding and cutting equipment used in the metal fabrication industry
- Perform basic layout and fabrication skills to produce welded metal parts and products
- Read and interpret engineering drawings to American Welding Society standards
- Use welding process and procedure applications
- Apply basic metallurgy knowledge to fabrication processes
- Perform basic set-up and operations for manual machining equipment
- Carry out planning procedures for manual mill and lathe operations
- Select tools and equipment to measure, fabricate, and inspect weldments
- Select tools and equipment to manufacture, measure, and inspect parts for the manual mill and lathe processes
- Perform as a team member and practice skills that reflect professional and ethical behavior in the workplace
Graduates with a welding degree or certificate can end up working in robotics, motor sports, military support, ship building and repair, project management, inspections, engineering, education, and sales.
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CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK & DRUG TESTING
Although Chemeketa's program does not require background checks or drug testing, you may want to familiarize yourself with how future employers might use these procedures. Whether you are hired or promoted for a job may depend on the information revealed in a background check. Job applicants and existing employees as well as volunteers may be asked to submit to background checks. For some jobs, screening is required by federal or state law. The current emphasis on security and safety has dramatically increased the number of employment background checks conducted. For more information visit privacyrights.org.
Program Options
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Welding Fabrication Associate of Applied Science Degree
This degree is for those who want to acquire the technical knowledge and skills required to work in welding, fabrication, and related occupations. The program offers a background in manufacturing materials, processes, and systems, including shear and press brake operation, blueprint reading, and shop drawing and layout.
See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.
Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $9300; fees, $6400; books, $1200; tools, $1600; and AWS certification tests, $500 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs.
Enrollment in this program is limited and there is an early deadline for applications.
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Welding Certificate of Completion
This certificate prepares you for a variety of positions in job specialty production and maintenance shops. Graduates may find work as MIG welders, arc welders, oxyacetylene welders, semiautomatic welding equipment operators, or TIG welders.
See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.
Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $5250; fees, $3700; books, $600; tools, $950; and AWS certification tests, $500 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs.
Enrollment in this program is limited and there is an early deadline for applications.
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Arc Welding Career Pathway Certificate
The Arc Welding certificate combines hands-on training in the use of SMAW welding equipment with the coursework needed for success in the field.
This program option is wholly contained within the Welding Fabrication AAS degree program and may serve as the first step in a career pathway toward the degree.
See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.
Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $2200; fees, $1650; books, $450; tools, $500; and AWS certification test, $250 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs.
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MIG Welding Career Pathway Certificate
The MIG Welding certificate combines hands-on training in the use of GMAW welding equipment with the coursework needed for success in the field.
This program option is wholly contained within the Welding Fabrication AAS degree program and may serve as the first step in a career pathway toward the degree.
See the Course Descriptions and Course Sequences sections above for information about the courses in this program.
Estimated costs to complete this program are: tuition, $1400; fees, $1050; books, $450; tools, $550; and AWS certification test, $250 (optional). Contact the Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify for help with these costs.
Open Enrollment Welding Classes: For Credit
Open enrollment classes do not require application and acceptance into the Welding program.
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Open-enrollment classes offered
*Class availability subject to change due to enrollment and scheduling
WLD151 Basic Arc Welding
5 credits
OFFERED: fallWLD152 Intermediate Arc Welding
5 credits
OFFERED: winterWLD153 Advanced Arc Welding
4 credits
OFFERED: springWLD156 Blueprint Reading and Sketching term
5 credits
OFFERED: fallWLD157 Introduction to Layout and Fabrication
3 credits
OFFERED: winterWLD159 Ornamental Iron Work
2 credits
OFFERED: summer, fall, winterWLD161 Basic MIG Welding
3 credits
OFFERED: winterWLD163 Advanced MIG Welding
3 credits
OFFERED: spring -
WINTER 2025 OPEN-ENROLLMENT CLASS SCHEDULE
Winter term begins January 6, 2025
WLD159 Ornamental Iron
CRN: 65257/65258 (Lecture/Lab)
Monday, 6-9:50pm
Salem Campus -
Non-credit classes offered
Registration allowed for only one non-credit welding class per term
Basic ARC Welding
Study the basic principles involved in making fillet welds on mild steel using standard industrial procedures, equipment and electrodes with the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process.Advanced ARC Welding
Continuation of welding out of position on T-joints using E7018 and E6010 stick welding electrodes with a brief overview of welding procedures as they apply to stick welding on heavy guage mild steel material.Basic Oxyacetylene Welding
Fundamentals of oxyacetylene welding including brazing and cutting.Basic Metal Arc Welding (MIG)
Introduces basic skills in semiautomatic metal inert gas (MIG) welding processes. Covers principles involved in equipment, material and procedures. Uses solid and flux-core wire in typical industrial applications.Basic Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG)
Fundamentals of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes, machine setting and application, and development of inert gas welding skills. Includes stainless and aluminum welding. -
WINTER 2025 Non-Credit Class Schedule
Saturdays, 9am - noon
January 11 - March 22, 2025
Registration allowed for only one non-credit welding class per term. Registration begins November 19.
Basic ARC Welding
CRN: 63307
Course ID: XWLD9050A
Fee: $229Advanced ARC Welding
CRN: 63308
Course ID: XWLD9050B
Fee: $229Basic Oxyacetylene Welding
CRN: 63309
Course ID: XWLD9050C
Fee: $229Basic MIG Welding
CRN: 63310
Course ID: XWLD9050F
Fee: $229Basic TIG Welding
CRN: 63311
Course ID: XWLD9050G
Fee: $229 -
How to Register for Non-Credit Welding Classes
*Registration allowed for only one non-credit welding class per term.
Step 1:
- If you are new to Chemeketa, follow the steps to enroll in CLASSES FOR FUN first
- Register for class in My Chemeketa
- Can't remember how to register? Watch this short video
Step 2:
- Pay for class. See payment options here
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Tool & Gear List for Non-Credit Welding Classes
All Classes:
- Leather gloves
- Leather shoes
- Hood with # 10 lens (ARC, MIG, TIG)
- Safety glasses
- Extra plastic cover lenses
- Ear Plugs (recommended but not required)
- Something to take notes on
- Padlock or combination lock for a locker
ARC Classes:
- Chipping Hammer
- Wire brush
- (2) 11R or 11sp vise grips
- Fillet weld gauges (Advanced ARC only as needed)
MIG Class:
- Tweco .035 and .045 contact tips (#14, 14H, or 14T only)
- Wire cutters
- (2) 11r or 11sp vise grips
Oxyacetylene Class:
- Tip Cleaner
- Pliers
- Striker
- Goggles/glasses/face shield in #4 or 5 shade
- Vise grips
TIG Class:
- 3/32 2% thoriated (radioactive), Ceriated, or Lanthanated (non-radioactive) tungsten
- 3/32 pure tungsten
- 3/32 collets
- 3/32 collet bodies
- Back cap
- Gas cups
- Pliers
- 2 SS toothbrushes
*All Torch parts must fit a #20 Torch
Questions? Contact instructor at terry.calderwood@chemeketa.edu or 503.399.5210
Open Enrollment Welding Classes: Non-credit
Whether you are new to welding or need continuing education credits, we have a welding class for you! (All levels of students welcome. Age 16 years and older.)
Classes are offered every term (subject to enrollment). All classes meet concurrently.
Fall, winter, spring: Saturday mornings, 9 am-noon
Summer: Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 6-9 pm
Please refer to the Tool & Gear List below for required tools for each class.
*Non-credit welding classes do not provide an opportunity for welder certification testing. Any AWS welder certification testing needs to be done at a private testing facility.