Do You like building things?

Is Seeing the immediate product of your effort something important to you in a job?

Put these personal qualities to use in a career in which you can construct something of lasting value from raw materials as a professional welder.

From the construction site, to the artist’s studio; underwater to outer space and every imaginable place in between, welding is performed in every environment, using many types of materials.

Welding is the joining of two or more pieces of metal to make them work as a single piece. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond.

Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to join beams when constructing buildings, bridges and other structures, and to join pipes in pipelines, power plants and refineries.

Welders use many types of welding equipment set up in a variety of positions, such as flat, vertical, horizontal and overhead. They may perform manual welding, in which the work is entirely controlled by the welder, or semiautomatic welding, in which the welder uses machinery, such as a wire feeder, to perform welding tasks.

They may work in a shop, on an assembly line or at a construction site. Since every work situation is different, they may have to work in many different positions, so physical strength, flexibility and endurance are important physical traits.

Welding is a craft as well as a trade

The quality of the weld depends on the knowledge and skill of the welder. As you develop in your craft, so do your opportunities and your salary.

Metro's Welding Technology program gives you a thorough knowledge of several welding processes. As a graduate, you will be adept in standard welding procedures and well-versed in the industrial safety standards practiced in this field.

Mission

The quality and professionalism of our welding technology program will help students and businesses reach their educational goals.

As a student, we encourage you to:

• Identify and set your goals high, and keep moving towards them.
• Stay focused on your goals throughout the program.
• Think beyond just getting a job and start building a career.

Awards

Welding Technology - Assocaites Degree in Applied Science

Course Descriptions

Short-term Learning Options

If you have an interest in this field, but limited time resources, Metro also offers:

• Open Entry/Open Exit Program

Students who need day classes, flexible scheduling or accelerated programs may take courses through the Open Entry/Open Exit program. Depending on their schedule and ability, students can complete up to four welding courses in an 11-week period. Students work with faculty to determine a learning plan and set their own daytime schedule. Depending upon this plan and their ability, students can finish a welding course in as little as two weeks!

• Certificate of Achievement-Welding Technology (3 options – Structural, Manufacturing, or Pipe)

• Structural
• Manufacturing
• Pipe

• Gas Metal Arc Welding Specialist
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Specialist
• Shielded metal Arc Welding Specialist
• Pipe Welding Specialist

See our complete list of short-term learning options.

You also can build your skills one class at a time. Check out the class schedule.

About Metro's Welding program

• Tuition is affordable.
• Financial aid is available.
• Our small class sizes enable you to get the individual attention you need to succeed.

Where can you go from here?

• Certification to a standard set by professional organizations such as the American Welding Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers may be required and may increase your earning potential.
• Various certifications do exist through Metro’s program. Faculty have more details.
• You may choose to pursue a bachelor's degree. Metro's Welding Technology Associate Degree transfers to:

Faculty

Monty Rodgers (402) 738-4663, mrodgers@mccneb.edu
Jason Hill (402) 738-4662, jhill@mccneb.edu

Career Facts

• In Nebraska, the median wage for welders and solderers is $25,771 per year. - Statistic taken from the Nebraska Department of Labor.
• Job prospects should be excellent. Employment of welding, soldering and brazing workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations over the 2002-12 period. In addition, many openings will arise as workers retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career opportunities for students in this major include:

Local companies that might employ welding students: Valmont Industries, Millard Manufacturing, Woerner Wireworks, Drake Williams Steel, and Paxton Vierling Steel.

Is Welding Technology for You?

Do you have:

• Good eye - hand coordination?
• The ability to follow written directions?
• The ability to concentrate on detailed work for extended periods of time?
• Physical agility?
• The ability to lift 50 pounds?
• The ability to work independently or with a team?

Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment

Each student will have to purchase his/her own tools priced between $65-$365. Contact faculty for more details.

Frequently asked questions