Welder

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products. Form and join metals to perform a designed function for a product within a manufacturing facility, or onsite construction and repairs. Work in a variety of settings from industrial garages to oil field rigs or even underwater!

Make a Difference

A Typical Day

Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly, using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, and rulers.
Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.

Recommended Credentials

American Welding Society (AWS) certification

Education & Training

Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

Northwest Lower Michigan

Northwestern Michigan College
Welding Technology
Level I Certificate, Level II Certificate, or Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

North Central Michigan College
Welding
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Elsewhere in Michigan

Training in Michigan for Welder, Cutters and Welder Fitters

Explore This Career

Try it before you buy it!

Shop class at your local high school
High school math and science classes
Find a mentor, buy a basic used welder and learn how to use it!

The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

Pathway 1

Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center - Welding & Fabrication
This program articulates to the NMC welding program, saving you time and money!