Welding: Structural Welding Technologies

The Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Welding: Structural Welding Technologies program prepares students for entry-level employment in structural steel, construction, and industrial fabrication environments through hands-on training in SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW processes. Students develop skills in welding across all positions, joint preparation, fit-up, and multi-pass techniques while learning blueprint reading, welding symbols, and fabrication practices aligned with industry standards. Instruction emphasizes equipment setup, parameter selection, and welding of structural materials, along with visual inspection, identification and repair of discontinuities, and adherence to quality standards. Students document welding activities, follow industry workflow expectations, and demonstrate professional work habits. The program culminates in a capstone project, industry internship, or advanced certification, requiring integration of welding processes, fabrication, inspection, and workplace practices to meet entry-level industry expectations.

Details

Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Academic Plan Code
1146
Total Clock Hours Required
750
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027
What You'll Learn
  1. Adhere to industry safety regulations applicable to welding environments.
  2. Demonstrate proficient use of machines, tools and equipment in the welding environment.
  3. Use appropriate welding and cutting processes and procedures, prepare various types of weld joints per industry standards.
  4. Use appropriate welding and cutting processes and procedures, perform various types of welds on industry standard joint types in all positions.
  5. Describe quality control standards and practices applied in welding inspection in the welding industry.
  6. Interpret technical drawings common to welding.
  7. Use mathematical skills to solve basic welding problems.
  8. Solve basic welding problems applying a fundamental understanding of the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of materials.
  9. Demonstrate quality workmanship in a timely manner.
  10. Demonstrate professional knowledge and personal accountability.
  11. Effectively communicate verbally, non-verbally and in writing in various workplace environments.
  12. Identify the challenges and employment opportunities within the field of welding.
  13. Identify opportunities to expand knowledge, skills, and abilities within the field of welding.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
$48,520

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by block. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with a navigator to discuss their academic and career goals.
  • The course sequence is laid out by block and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • This is a cohort program in which students progress through their course of study together in the required course sequence.

Courses Sequence

Block 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Block 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Clock Hours
WTO100 Introduction to Welding & Safety Fundamentals 100
WTO115 SMAW I: Flat & Horizontal Welding 150
WTO117 SMAW II: Vertical & Overhead Welding 125

Block 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Block 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Clock Hours
WTO119 GMAW & FCAW Structural Applications 150
WTO215 Advanced Fabrication & GTAW Introduction 125
WTO225 Structural Welding Capstone Project & Industry Experience 100

Courses Not Currently Offered

GateWay Community College does not currently offer these courses. These courses may be offered by other Maricopa Community Colleges as indicated below. Select the link to view current availability and whether courses are offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Tuition rates are the same across Maricopa Community Colleges, but course fees may vary.

Courses listed in this pathway map that are not currently offered at GateWay Community College
Course Number Course Name Offering Colleges
WTO225 Structural Welding Capstone Project & Industry Experience Not currently offered
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gatewaycc.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/1146-GWC03
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.