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Metal Fabrication/Welding

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Your tuition could be paid for!

This program is eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship. See if you qualify.

Prepare for an entry-level welding job. Earn a certificate in one year or continue to an associate degree in only two years.

Each day is different as a welder

Welders provide critical fabrication that creates robust and secure structures for buildings, bridges, and automobiles. Welders make products that people trust and use every day.

Welders must be precise and pay close attention to details. They must accurately read and follow technical documents to create a safe strong weld. At JCCC, you learn to:

  • Interpret welding vocabulary and theory
  • Apply safety rules and regulations to welds
  • Read and interpret blueprints and sketches
  • Calculate and measure dimensions of welded parts
  • Maintain equipment and machinery
  • Fabricate parts and components
  • Monitor the welding process, adjust, and inspect the final materials

To be successful in the program you must:

  • Following all safety rules
  • Be on-time to class
  • Stay on task during classes
  • Turn in assignments before deadlines
  • Explain textbook welding concepts
  • Follow written and verbal instructions
  • Ensuring that all required equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) is purchased and maintained

Classes require equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety glasses. We strongly recommend taking the Jaeger J2 at 12” eye exam to ensure acceptable vision to see welds and design flaws.

If you wear prescription glasses, it is recommended that you get prescription safety glasses, available from many optometrists. Safety glasses MUST have the ANSI Z87 markings and appropriate lenses.

JCCC offers a certificate and an associate degree -- earn both and find a great career in only two years!

Choose JCCC for immersive learning and genuine instructors

Instructors get to you know you. They want you to succeed and find a career. Many are certified welding inspectors (CWI) who can prepare you for welding certification and qualification tests used by companies in the hiring process. These include:

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 30-hour General Industry Safety & Health course completion card
  • AWS (American Welding Society) SENSE (Schools Excelling through National Skills) Level1
  • AWS SENSE Level2

You also will learn about the AWS SENSE, a comprehensive set of minimum standards and guidelines for welding education programs.

After completing your degree, your record stays on the AWS registry for three years at no cost to you.

If you are considering transferring to a four-year school to further your education, check into transfer agreements with Ottawa University, Pittsburg State University, and Kansas State University.

Careers in many industries

Skilled welders, cutters, steel fitters and brazers are in high demand as metropolitan areas grow and aging infrastructure needs repairing and replacing across the country. You could:

  • Build bridges and buildings
  • Manufacture foodservice and medical equipment
  • Do maintenance and repair welding
  • Work on pipelines
  • Operate welding robots
  • Maintain aerospace equipment

The U.S. Department of Labor compiles statistics on the careers involving welding. Find information related to careers in Kansas, including salary information and job prospects:

Check out the success of other JCCC Students in the Power BI Post Graduate Report

And research jobs in Career Concourse.

Daytime classes require department approval See how to apply

Homework help on campus

The JCCC Academic Resource Center offers free tutoring in almost any subject. Our small Metal Fabrication and Welding classes — we limit each to 16 students — means you get one-on-one attention and personalized feedback from your professors.

Justin L., JCCC graduate

"I thought the Welding program was great. The new lab is an awesome perk, but the best part was that the instructors seemed genuinely interested in helping students get jobs in the industry. Scott Crompton was the best; he helped me get my current job as a welder."

Contact info

Dell Thomas, Chair
Email: welding@jccc.edu
Phone: 913-469-8500, ext. 4441
Location: CTE 201