Welding Technology
If you like to work precisely with tools and equipment, you can become a skilled welder, earning a good living in an essential industry. Welders cut and join pieces of metal, making a permanent bond with a torch or electric arc.
Specialties in welding include structural metal fabricator, pipe and steamfitter, welding inspector, and welding engineer. Welders who can qualify in these specialty areas such as TIG, Pipe Welding, and the welding of stainless steel and aluminum are always in demand. Many artists also learn to specialize in metalwork by taking welding courses.
Contact Us
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Program Coordinator
Eric Wade
- Welding Technician
Gregory Grandfield - Gregory.Grandfield@napavalley.edu
Napa Valley College’s (NVC) Welding Technology Program provides an extensive background
in cutting and welding processes, such as Oxyacetylene Cutting and Welding, Plasma
Cutting, Carbon Arc Cutting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Flux Core, MIG and TIG. Other
courses in the program include Technical Math, Machine Shop Practice, Digital Design,
and non-math Descriptive Physics.
Napa Valley College is an American Welding Society (AWS) Educational Institution Member.
The Welding Technology Program offers preparation for qualification tests that can
lead to becoming an AWS Certified Welder.
Career Opportunities
AWS predicts a shortage welders nationwide. Welders who belong to unions typically earn higher pay than nonunion workers. Job vacancies in Northern California are plentiful, and the demand for qualified welders is very high. Over the past several years, all qualified program graduates have found placement.