Welder Technician

Do you like to work with your hands? Are you looking for a career where you can do what you love and make good money? This online Welder Technician course is an accelerated training package that will provide you the required knowledge and skills you need for success as a welder.

The course provides an intensive overview of the skills necessary for a welder technician to perform the job, including lessons in math, inspection, safety, materials, quality, metal cutting, grinding, forming, robotics, rigging, and welding.

12 Months / 125 Course Hrs

Open Enrollment

Offered in partnership with your preferred school

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

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Learning method

Instructor-led

$2,295

Self-paced. Study on your own schedule

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Details + Objectives

Course code: GES766

What you will learn

Welding Safety, Processes, and Applications
Troubleshooting
Inspection Methods
Metallurgy
Rigging
Fabrication Processes

How you will benefit

Prepare for a career as a welder technician
Gain confidence in your ability to perform your job
Access to five video-based simulation labs for virtual hands-on experience
Get the knowledge and skills you need to start your career in an accelerated format
Enrolled students are invited to attend our exclusive annual virtual National Apprenticeship Week events, featuring live webinars, workshops, and employer interactions

How the course is taught

Self-paced, online course
12 Months to complete
Open enrollment, begin anytime
125 course hours

Outline

Abrasives
1. Grinding Processes 201
2. Grinding Safety 211
3. Basics of the Surface Grinder 231
4. Setup for the Surface Grinder 241
5. Surface Grinder Operation 251
Fasteners
1. Safety for Assembly 211
2. Tools for Threaded Fasteners 235
Inspection
1. Basic Measurement 101
2. Basics of Tolerance 121
3. Blueprint Reading 131
4. Interpreting Prints 231
5. Introduction to GD&T 301
6. Major Rules of GD&T 311
7. Inspecting a Prismatic Part 321
8. Inspecting a Cylindrical Part 331
9. In-Line Inspection Applications 381
Lean
1. Lean Manufacturing Overview 101
2. Continuous Process Improvement: Managing Flow 124
3. Continuous Process Improvement: Identifying and Eliminating Waste 125
4. 5S Overview 151
5. Intro to Six Sigma 171
6. Troubleshooting 181
7. Conducting Kaizen Events 191
8. SPC Overview 211
9. Metrics for Lean 231
10. Process Flow Charting 241
11. Strategies for Setup Reduction 251
12. Management Tools: Problem Solving 270
13. Six Sigma Goals and Tools 310
Materials
1. Introduction to Physical Properties 101
2. Introduction to Mechanical Properties 111
3. Introduction to Metals 121
4. Introduction to Metal Manufacturing 180
5. Classification of Steel 201
6. Essentials of Heat Treatment of Steel 211
7. Ferrous Metals 231
8. Nonferrous Metals 241
9. Exotic Alloys 301
Mechanical Systems
1. Forces of Machines 121
Metal Cutting
1. Safety for Metal Cutting 101
2. Band Saw Operation 211
3. Metal Cutting Fluid Safety 231
Press Brake
1. Press Brake Safety 100
2. Press Brake Components 110
3. Bending Fundamentals 120
4. Die Bending Operations 130
5. Operating the Press Brake 200
6. Press Brake Specifications 220
Quality
1. ISO 9001:2015 Review 122
2. Customer-Focused Quality 155
3. TS 16949:2009 Overview 221
Rigging
1. Introduction to Machine Rigging 111
2. Rigging Equipment 121
3. Rigging Inspection and Safety 131
4. Lifting and Moving Equipment 141
5. Rigging Mechanics 220
Robotics
1. Robot Troubleshooting 331
2. Robot Installations 370
Safety
1. Introduction to OSHA 101
2. Ergonomics 102
3. Personal Protective Equipment 111
4. Noise Reduction and Hearing Conservation 121
5. Respiratory Safety 131
6. Lockout/Tagout Procedures 141
7. SDS and Hazard Communication 151
8. Bloodborne Pathogens 161
9. Walking and Working Surfaces 171
10. Fire and Safety and Prevention 181
11. Flammable/Combustible Liquids 191
12. Hand and Power Tool Safety 201
13. Safety for Lifting Devices 211
14. Powered Industrial Truck Safety 221
15. Confined Spaces 231
16. Environmental Safety Hazards 241
17. Machine Guarding 271
Shop Essentials (Applied Mathematics)
1. Math Fundamentals 101
2. Math: Fractions and Decimals 111
3. Units of Measurement 112
4. Manufacturing Process Applications: Part I 124
5. Manufacturing Process Applications: Part II 125
6. Geometry: Lines and Angles 151
7. Geometry: Triangles 161
8. Geometry: Circles and Polygons 171
9. Trigonometry: The Pythagorean Theorem 201
10. Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent 211
11. Statistics 231
Soldering
1. Safety for Soldering 115
Supervisor Essentials
1. Essentials of Leadership 100
2. Managing Performance: Best Practices 130
3. Managing Performance: Corrective Actions 135
4. Conflict Resolution Principles 150
5. Conflict Resolution for Different Groups 155
6. Team Leadership 160
7. Manufacturing Management 180
8. Personal Effectiveness 190
9. Managing the Diverse Workplace 210
10. Harassment and Discrimination 215
11. Performance Management and the Law 230
Welding
1. Welding Safety Essentials 101
2. PPE for Welding 111
3. Welding Fumes and Gases Safety 121
4. Electrical Safety for Welding 131
5. Introduction to Welding 141
6. Introduction to Welding Processes 151
7. Material Tests for Welding 201
8. Welding Ferrous Metals 211
9. Welding Nonferrous Metals 212
10. Overview of Weld Types 221
11. Overview of Weld Defects 222
12. Welding Symbols and Codes 231
13. Fabrication Process 232
14. Electrical Power for Arc Welding 241
15. Introduction to GMAW 251
16. Introduction to SMAW 252
17. Overview of Soldering 271
18. Oxyfuel Cutting Applications 282
19. Plasma Cutting 283
20. GMAW Applications 301
21. Advanced GMAW Applications 302
22. SMAW Applications 311
23. GTAW Applications 331
Workforce Essentials
1. Essentials of Communication 115
Virtual Labs/Simulations (optional)
1. Fire Safety
2. Safety Awareness in Manufacturing
3. 5S and Hand Tool Identification
4. Lockout Tagout Procedures
5. Gas Metal Arc Welding
6. Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Instructors & Support

This is not an instructor facilitated course; however, support will be provided through email.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, this course requires basic computer skills, including the ability to open and manage windows, navigate websites, and perform common online tasks such as downloading files, completing forms, and using web-based tools.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 8 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Video-based labs: The latest version of Google Chrome is preferred.

Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

FAQ

According to Salary.com, the average welder salary for an entry-level position (welder I) is $43,773 in the U.S., but the range typically falls between $38,873 and $50,317. Salaries vary widely depending on factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and years you have spent in your profession.

One can take many avenues to become a welder, but the fastest way is a one-year training program. After taking a course based on the fundamentals of welding, students will have the knowledge to become certified welders.

Yes. We use virtual hands-on experience to simulate real-world, hands-on experience. To successfully master your craft, you will need to practice in simulated, and real-world experiences.

There are five virtual labs included in the program: fire safety, safety awareness in manufacturing, 5S and hand tool identification, gas metal arc welding, and shielded metal arc welding.

No.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

Welder Technician

University of Tennessee at Knoxville