Welding Specialist with Pipefitting Program Course Descriptions

Welding Fundamentals

Train in the fundamentals of welding and begin learning the critical skills you’ll need for a welding career. Learn plasma cutting and carbon arc gouging procedures, arc welding processes, the basic layout of construction drawings and how to correctly read and interpret welding symbols. Learn how set up welding equipment, the components of an arc welding machine, and the various types of electrodes used in arc welding procedures. Using an E7018 electrode, students will also practice basic SMAW welding processes and techniques.


GMAW/FCAW Processes

In this course, students learn how to set up and operate GMAW/FCAW welding equipment, as well as how to prepare pipe for GMAW/FCAW welding processes. GMAW, or MIG, uses a torch designed to provide a shielding gas for the weld and an automatic wire feed system that provides a constant feed of the filler metal. FCAW, or Fluxcore, uses a similar torch but uses a powdered flux to shield the weld. Students learn about isometric drawings and their importance as a three- dimensional picture of an object.


Structural Welding

The Structural Welding course introduces students to a number of different critical things:

  • Basic destructive weld testing techniques
  • The importance of quality welds to achieve maximum strength and integrity of the metal
  • Basic principles of metallurgy
  • Welding pipe

Students expand their knowledge about welding diagrams, drawings and the methods of coding various types of metal. Students will also learn the procedures for root pass, fill welds and SMAW processes.


Basic Pipe Welding

This course trains students in the fundamentals of basic pipe welding with two critical welding processes: SMAW and GTAW.

For GTAW welding, students practice with basic root welding on pipe coupons.

In Basic Pipe Welding, students practice uphill and other welding techniques simultaneously. They practice welding in multiple positions as they travel around the pipe to complete the weld.


Advanced Pipe Welding

Students continue to practice their pipe welding skills, using the GTAW process to weld the root and complete the fill and cap portion of the weld using SMAW processes. Students also learn how to set up and safely operate portable welding units for structural and pipe welding operations, rig and balance pipe loads, use hand signal communication, and lift and place pipe in preparation for welding operations.

Electrical safety guidelines and the steps to prevent electrical shock are also taught.


Welding Capstone

The Welding Capstone course challenges students to apply the skills they learned in previous courses, preparing them to transition from the classroom to the field.

During this course, students learn how to prepare resumes, practice for interviews, learn proper work habits and appearances and complete employment applications.


Introductory Pipefitting Skills

This course introduces essential safety topics and areas such as personal protective equipment (PPE), HazCom, jobsite hazards, and the roles of employees and companies and their obligations to maintain safe work environments. It discusses mathematics pertinent to the construction industry, the proper use and maintenance
of various pipefitting hand and power tools, and gives an overview of blueprints and drawing interpretation. This course also discusses the basic skills necessary to install, layout and assemble threaded joint piping systems and introduces socket weld piping system lay out and fabrication.


Advanced Pipefitting

This course continues the discussion of pipe fabrication relative to socket-weld pipe fabrication methods along with the identification, selection and installation of piping support systems. In addition, this course discusses the layout, installation and fabrication of butt weld pipe and relative flange, bolt and gasket identification and installation. This course will conclude with a discussion on copper pipe bending and joining processes along with grooved pipe fabrication and installation.