Welding and Fabricating Degrees

Ready for some state-of-the-art skills? Kirtland’s Welding & Fabricating courses were made for you!

Get your Welding and Fabricating Degree from Kirtland.

Kirtland Community College’s Welding & Fabrication program will expose you to new technologies and the challenges they bring. The trade has evolved to include the latest in plasma and laser technology. Welding and fabricating now demands skills beyond those once thought of as traditional.

You could use your foundation in welding and fabricating to create methods for bonding plastics. Welders and fabricators now are involved in developing new materials as industrial research expands to anticipate and meet demand.

Kirtland delivers a convenient way to gain knowledge and hands-on experience. You could begin your career in this growing field by completing a certificate in about a year and then continuing on to earn your associate’s degree.

Industrial Technologies Welding & Fabricating courses are held at Kirtland’s M-TEC in Gaylord. This state-of-the art facility will give you an edge in the industry.

Instructors have solid experience in the field. They’ll teach you everything you need to pursue a career as a welder, millwright, or pipe-fitter, including graphics and computer-aided drafting training.

Most of Kirtland’s Welding & Fabricating courses are offered as modules. This program is unlike most college courses that consist of three or four credit hours and last a full 16 weeks. Each module focuses on a specific topic. You’ll demonstrate competency, take a test on the concept (or both) and move on to the next module.

The programs are offered in a FLEX (Flexible Learning EXperience) environment. FLEX is a non-traditional learning program that allows you to work and complete your courses at your own pace. You will not be restricted to a traditional classroom schedule and may learn your course content at your convenience whether it be during the day, afternoon or evening.  This learning style will fit nicely with your schedule if you plan to continue to work full-time and complete your coursework during non-work hours.

Should you choose to continue your education, your college credits can be transferred to a four-year university.

You will have an edge in the job market and skills that will always be in demand.

Check out the upcoming changes to the Welding and Fabricating program:

New for Fall of 2012

• Welding Fabrication Level 1 – This class covers  basic fabrication techniques such as metal cutting, punching, drilling, shearing, and forming, as well as blueprint reading with welding symbols, weld joint design, and fixturing. This class replaces Machining Level 1 modules.
• Introduction to Robotics – This class gives the students an introductory look at the world of industrial robots and teaches them how to create simple programs.  This class supports the Welding and Fabricating program as well as the new Mechatronics program.
• Plastics Welding – This technical elective teaches students the basics of plastic welding.

New for Winter of 2013

• Material Science  – This class replaces the metallurgy modules with a more hands on, lab intensive approach.
• Robotic Welding  – Students will learn how to program an industrial robot to perform welding.

New for  2013/2014

• All Welding and Fabricating classes will be offered at the Gaylord Site only.
• Regular lecture/lab Welding classes will replace all current welding modules.
• Welding Fabrication Level 2 – This class covers advanced fabrication techniques. (pending equipment budget approval)
• Non-Destructive Testing Level 1 – Students will learn visual, dye penetrant, and magnetic particle non-destructive testing methods. (pending equipment budget approval)
• Non-Destructive Testing Level 2 – Students will learn how to use ultrasound and radiography (x-ray) to inspect. (pending equipment budget approval)
• Welding Internship – An internship will be required to give students real world, hands on experience at an actual job site. (Currently being offered voluntary as a technical elective)

Related construction and industrial technologies degrees include:

Associate in Applied Science

• Electrical Technology (M-TEC site)
• HVAC/R (M-TEC site)
• Mechatronics Facility Technician
  (M-TEC site)
• Mechatronics Industrial Technician
  (M-TEC site)
• Welding and Fabricating (M-TEC site)

Certificates

• Electrical Technology (M-TEC site)
• HVAC/R (M-TEC site)

• Welding and Fabricating (M-TEC site)

Partnership Programs

• Davenport University
• Ferris State University
• Franklin University

Specific information about program and course requirements can be found in our College Catalog.

Some of the jobs related our Construction and Industrial Technologies programs:

(view detailed information about each specific job/career and for job outlook information)

• Construction Laborers
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Construction Managers
• Electricians
• Fabricators
• HVAC Mechanics and Installers
• Welders

Get general and transfer information on specific colleges and universities.