Welding Technology (Diploma)

Are you looking to fuse a hands-on career with a rewarding job fixing and creating things people need for everyday life? If you don’t mind breaking a sweat and can stay cool when things get a little hot, then welding is for you.

• Program Length: 12 Months
• Format: On-Campus
• Course Length: 6 Weeks
• Average Class Size: 25 or Less
• Job Outlook: 14,500 New Jobs by 2028²
• Job Placement: 80%³

Did you know that more than 50-percent of all man-made products rely on some form of welding? Transportation, buildings, and factories all rely upon a form of welding for their construction. Welders use handheld or remote-controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts, both small and large. Welders build new items and fix broken ones using this specialized equipment.

There’s a manufacturing resurgence in the U.S., and that is creating new demand for trained welding technicians. As a welder, you’ll be trained to work in a variety of environments, including indoors, outdoors, in a workshop or factory, on the road, on a pipeline, up high on scaffolding or a stadium, in the ocean, or even on a race car team or cruise ship.

IMBC’s program can help welders at all skill levels succeed; from those just entering the field to seasoned veterans. Located at our Erie campus with 32 large welding bays stocked with a full suite of welding tools, you’ll be given hands-on instruction. Students will start with basic welding applications and then proceed to more advanced welding techniques, including mig, tig, pipe, and structural metal welding. Courses also include destructive and non-destructive testing and quality control to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of welding and its applications across a variety of settings. Our welding program includes safety training so that students become familiar with the safety procedures and regulations governing welding and welding environments.

The welding technology program does not require an internship. However, IMBC partners with global organizations, such as the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric to bring a high-quality welding experience to each student.

Finally, upon the successful completion of your program, you will be prepared to seek two certifications to demonstrate your mastery of the course material: the SMAW and FCAW certifications. The costs of the professional certification exams are included in your program. Certification exams are not required for employment; however, students who pass voluntary third-party certification exams validate their competencies, skills, and abilities in the specialized field of study. IMBC believes students passing certification exams have a more competitive employment advantage for being hired over students with no certification.

Does this sound like a great program for you? Contact IMBC using the form on this page to learn more about enrolling today.

Graduates of this program are prepared to seek entry-level employment as a Welding Technician in the following types of organizations:

• Fabrication shops
• Manufacturing / factories
• Automotive, including performance and racing
• Shipping, including leisure (cruises)
• Building and commercial construction
• Fieldwork (pipelines, etc.)

Some employers and internship sites may require a criminal background check and/or drug testing. Students may need to relocate to obtain gainful employment.

Students are encouraged to take certification exams upon the successful completion of their program. The costs of the professional certification exams are included in your program. Certification exams are not required for employment; however, students who pass voluntary third-party certification exams validate their competencies, skills, and abilities in the specialized field of study. IMBC believes students passing certification exams have a more competitive employment advantage for being hired over students with no certification.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Education, it is expected that 14,500 new jobs in this field will be created between 2018 and 2028. As of 2018, there were approximately 424,700 people employed in this field.4

1. This figure represents the typical length a program takes to complete. However, your actual program completion time may vary based upon your academic progress, course progression, and any breaks.
2. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018-2028 Estimated Job Growth: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm
3. Reported ABHES placement rates for the 2020-2021 reporting year.