Welding Technology
About the Program
The Welding Technology program is designed to offer students the necessary skills for entry level positions in the welding industry.
AWARD TYPES: Certificate Level 1
AREA OF STUDY: Construction Industry & Manufacturing
Degrees and Certificates
Learn more about the Degrees and Certificates offered by this program by visiting the HCC Catalog.
View Degrees & Certificates by ProgramProgram Outcomes
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Demonstrate knowledge of Safety Rules and Regulations as they apply to a welding environment.
Interpret and Decode Information Found in Blueprints, Specifications, and Applicable Documents Related to Welding Projects.
Exhibit Knowledge in the proper selection, Use, and Application of Welding Apparatus and Equipment.
Fabricate parts and components using information provided in blueprints and specifications.
Program Information
General Requirements
The Welding Technology program is designed to offer students the necessary skills for entry-level positions in the welding industry. There is an increasing demand for skilled welders in the fields of SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) MIG (Metal Inert Gas), TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas), and Pipe welding.
Houston Community College offers two certificates in welding, the Structural Welding certificate which can be completed in one semester and prepares students for entry-level work as a structural welder, and the Combination Pipe Welding certificate which enhances the skills learned in the structural welding certificate by providing more advanced training in advanced MIG, TIG, and Pipe welding techniques.
TSI testing is required prior to first enrollment for all AAS degrees and Level II certificates.
Employment
There are 17,094 Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters employed in the Greater Houston Area. This number is expected to increase by 9.5% over the next four years.
- The estimated annual job openings is 979 jobs a year.
- Median Wages - $18.64 hourly, $39,000 annually
Texas Education Association (TEA) Industry Based Certification Resource
| Name | TEA Resource Link | Third-Party Certification Agency | Third-Party Certification Agency Website |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AWS Structural Welder |
https://tea.texas.gov | American Welding Society |
| Name | TEA Resource Link | Third-Party Certification Agency | Third-Party Certification Agency Website |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AWS Tube Welder |
https://tea.texas.gov | American Welding Society |
| Name | TEA Resource Link | Third-Party Certification Agency | Third-Party Certification Agency Website |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NCCER Core Curricula |
https://tea.texas.gov | National Center for Construction Education & Research |
Marketable Skills
Learn more about the marketable skills—skills valued by employers that can be applied in variety of work settings—so you can communicate these to potential employers. Click on the relevant award title below to see descriptions of marketable skills for that area.
Career Opportunities
Explore real-time labor market data on occupations you may pursue post-graduation, offering insight into career opportunities, potential earnings, and job demand in the Greater Houston region.
For more in-depth information about this career and other career pathways, visit Career Coach.
Resources
Search for a Welding Technology Professor or request more information
Get in touch
Alberto Urbina, Dean
Material Science & Smart Manufacturing