WELDING ACADEMY
College credits earned: up to 12.0 (varies by program location)
College credit courses included in this academy:
Certification opportunities: American Welding Society (AWS)
WEL-105 Welding Principles
2 college credits
Provides students with instruction in welding and cutting
principles and their applications. Course includes comprehensive
treatment of electrical theory, safety, equipment, electrodes, types
of joints and welds, metals and their characteristics, testing and
inspection, welding certifications, specifications and codes. This
course follows the American Welding Society guidelines.
Why College Credit in High School?
… Find your passion
… Get a head start
… Experience college-level expectations
with rock star teachers
… Earn free college credit
… Why not!
Experience
Make some sparks. Join the innovative people who are
creating the products of tomorrow.
Hands-on learning in the basics of welding and cutting
and their skill applications.
Outcome
Immediate employment opportunities available in a
variety of industries.
Kirkwood welding courses prepare you for exciting
diversity in skilled careers: from self employment in
repair and maintenance trades to commercial and
industrial structural and manufacturing employment.
Career Focus
Self employment, machine shop, product and
parts manufacturing in agriculture, transportation,
construction, and the aerospace industry.
The Kirkwood Welding Academy Program provides students
with a jump start to earning an associates, bachelors and/or
graduate degree. If you’re planning to transfer to a four-year
college or university after attending Kirkwood, specific transfer
information can be found at the following link:
www.kirkwood.edu/fouryeartransfer
Iowa Average Salaries in Welding Careers
Machinery Manufacturing: $17.58/hr
Architectural & Structural Manufacturing: $16.81
Repair & Maintenance: $18.08
Product & Parts Manufacturing: $20.66
Motor Vehicle Part Manufacturing: $16.38
More info can be found at: www.bls.gov
WEL-156 Welding Skills I
4 college credits
Includes introductory concepts and theories in shielded metal
arc welding. Students learn welding techniques for weaving and
flat position fillet welds. Oxyacetylene torch and plasma cutter
operation are also covered.
WEL-331 Fundamentals of Welding
2 college credits
Covers basic welding techniques with oxyacetylene and electric
welders. Designed for the general tradesperson working in the
areas of mechanics and automotive technology. Students are
introduced to a variety of welding situations including cutting,
brazing and various welding positions on lighter gauges of metal
and basic fabrication.
WEL-370 Production MIG Welding 4 college credits
Teaches proper weld safety, machine setup and welding
techniques for gas metal arc welding using short arc, spray and
pulse metal transfer methods. Students perform American
Welding Society compliant welds on stainless, aluminum and
mild steels in the flat and horizontal positions. AWS welder
qualifications issued upon successful completion of course.
Need to Know …
• Students enrolled will receive credit from their high school and
college credit from Kirkwood. The college tuition is paid for by
the high school district.
• The grade earned in this course will be reflected on the
student’s official college transcript. Students not planning to
attend Kirkwood after high school graduation should plan to
include this transcript as part of your application process to
other colleges or universities. www.kirkwood.edu/transcript
• As part of earning college credit for this academy, students
must complete an online application to Kirkwood Community
College, and must provide a social security number as part
of the secure online college application process to create the
official student record.
• Student textbooks, safety equipment and tools will be provided
on the first day of class.
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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Welding Academy
Program Details
• Course offerings vary by location.
• Check with your guidance counselor to see if the Welding
Academy program is at a location near you.
How to Get Started
• Talk to your parents and your guidance counselor.
• Go to www.kirkwood.edu/apply and click “Earn College Credit
in High School.”
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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