Work in industries from car racing, manufacturing, or construction with San Juan College's welding certificate programs. We offer a general one-year and an advanced two-year welding certificate program to prepare you for this in-demand field. Learn the theory and practical applications of welding on plate and pipe in all positions. You'll gain valuable experience with the state-of-the-art equipment in our training facility.
Why Complete a Welding Certificate?
Welders play a crucial role in many industries that build our economy—from mining to oil and gas production, auto/off-road fabrication or farm and industrial repair. In the simplest terms, welders fuse separate pieces of metals. With this technique, they can make anything from cars to pipes to bridges.
By earning a welding certificate, you'll be ready for jobs in the industry. Employers will recognize that you can perform tasks to national codes to ensure quality work. You'll be able to read blueprints, weld, fabricate, use tools and equipment safely, and perform the job well. Through your courses, you'll also learn important welding processes and procedures for this hands-on career.
There is currently a great demand for welders, as many workers are expected to retire in the coming years. [The American Welding Society predicts 84,000 welding jobs to be filled every year between 2022-2025](https://weldingworkforcedata.com/). Employ your skills locally in your community or across the country.
Why Earn a Welding Certificate at San Juan College?
Two Certificate Programs
We offer two certificate programs so you can have flexibility as you enter this vital field. Our General Welding certificate introduces you to the trade and can be finished in one year. Our Advanced Welding certificate is a two-year program that includes basic and advanced courses.
It's easy to complete the advanced program after you complete the general program. Because of the structure of the programs, you will not have to retake any of the basic courses. You will only need to take the advanced certificate courses.
Expert Welding Training
You'll be job-ready with the help of our weld shop and experienced faculty. You'll learn important techniques and perfect your skills. You'll meet national welding codes for:
- American Welding Society (D1.1)
- American Petroleum Institute (API 1104)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (B31)
By completing the certificate programs, you'll be able to work on projects that follow these codes.
Partnerships and Connections
San Juan College has built relationships with local companies and unions so you can get additional training and find jobs. We have helped students find local internships at PESCO, a company in Farmington that serves the onshore oil and natural gas industries.
We also have agreements with Local Union No. 412 Pipe Fitters and Local Union No. 627 Boilermakers. Not only do they offer accreditation for hours earned in our welding programs, but they will help further hone your skills. By becoming a union member, you'll access more benefits and higher wages.
Affordable Option
Because of our low tuition rates, our welding certificates are a great investment for you. Prepare for your career with our high-quality education. You may also qualify to get your certificate tuition-free through the NM Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships.
What You'll Learn in the Welding Certificate Programs
SJC's welding certificate programs prepare you for the real-world skills you need to become a welder. You'll study in classrooms and state-of-the-art labs with our expert faculty. You'll also perfect your skills in our weld labs under their supervision.
General Welding Certificate
Complete introductory-level, hands-on coursework in the weld shop. You'll study the following subjects:
- Blueprint reading
- Oxy-fuel cutting
- Metal fabrication
- Basic shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
- Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
- Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)
Upon completing your courses, you can take the American Welding Society 1.1 Structural Welding Code test. Upon passing, you will receive American Welding Society(AWS) API1104 and ASME B31 endorsement.
General Welding Certificate Curriculum
Advanced Welding Certificate
For the Advanced Welding certificate, you'll build upon the classes for the General Welding certificate. You'll study and practice concepts such as:
- Pipe welding, fabrication, and layout
- Advanced metal fabrication
- Advanced welding skills and applications to a variety of structural shapes
- Metallurgy
Advanced Welding Certificate Curriculum
Careers and Outcomes
According to the American Welding Society, the US workforce will need over 375,000 welders by 2023 to keep up with demand. By training to become a welder, you'll be a vital part of the economy as a valuable worker.
Many fields and facets of modern-day industries have welding and fabrication needs. With your certificate, you'll be able to work in:
- Manufacturing
- Home construction
- Refineries and Power Plants
- Offshore oil rigs
- Skyscraper and bridge construction
- Aerospace engineering
Our certificate graduates have found employment at:
- PESCO, Inc.
- Schuff Steel
- NASA
- Bobcat Company
- John Deere
We also have relationships with Local Union No. 412 Pipe Fitters and Local Union No. 627 Boilmakers, which can help you find jobs in the area.
Welding Tool List
As a welding student, you will need to purchase and bring tools to your courses. Refer to the Welding Tool List page to find the list of supplies. Please note that local welding supply stores have discounts for SJC students.
Next Steps
To enroll in the Welding certificate courses, you must first apply to San Juan College. It's easy, and you can apply online at any time!
If you are already a student at San Juan College, talk to your advisor about our Welding certificate programs.
