WELDING AND FABRICATION
TECHNOLOGY

Welding and Fabrication Technology is a high-tech industry providing many career opportunities.

Students will learn how to use hand and power tools within the welding field.  This includes grinders, saws, shears, and other mechanical cutting processes.  Then, students will learn the three most commonly used thermal cutting processes, oxyfuel, carbon arc air, and plasma arc cutting.  Welding processes to be learned include Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick), Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), and Flux Cored Arc Welding (Innershield). Associated Theory will include Blueprint Reading with Welding Symbols and Basic Metallurgy.

Upon their senior year, students will decide on one of three paths to follow:

• Fabricator – Students will build items from blueprints preparing for a career in a fabrication shop. This provides much Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities.
• Structural Welder – Students will practice the common weld joints used in the structural field bu and will attempt to successfully pass AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code Welder Certification tests in both SMAW and FCAW processes. This provides any WBL opportunities.
• Welding Technician – Students who are interested in employment as a Welding Technician, Inspector, Engineer, or Consultant will be spending more time learning welding codes, inspection, and non-destructive testing techniques while working on AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code Welder Certification tests. This choice is normally made by a student who is going to college for Welding Technology or Engineering.

In addition to WBL, students can participate in SkillsUSA.  Since here are many opportunities for welders. multiple fabricators, repair companies, and structural shops contact Sussex Tech for welding employees and are presently filling positions throughout Sussex County and beyond.