Gain hands-on experience

There are four classes where you have the opportunity to put the information you’ve learned into practice. You gain employable welding skills through hands-on experience through lab work. You can plan to spend 2 weekends learning these skills for each course. Specific locations and times are set well in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Earn a certificate from an accredited college

All certificates are taught by accredited and reputable colleges in Minnesota that are part of Minnesota Manufactured™.

Courses are taught by the same instructors who teach the on-campus courses.

Build your career pathway

The Welding Technology Certificate is a great way to start building a manufacturing career with no dead-ends. Gain advanced welding skills and credits you may be able to transfer to earn a diploma or B.A.S. degree!

Plus, you have a great return on your investment. The full 30-credit certificate equals 640 hours of instructor time, so you are paying just $11 for each instructional hour. A raise of just $3.50 an hour would pay back the full cost of the Welding Technology Certificate in a year while working full-time!

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to help with the cost. Support is in place to help you pay for courses.

CMAE 1502 Technical Mathematics, 3 credits,
The primary goal of this course is to help individuals acquire a solid foundation in the basic skills of math, shop algebra, and geometry. Math instruction to include fundamentals of math, fractions and decimals, units of measure, lines and angles, triangles, shop geometry, circles and polygons, shop algebra, and the Pythagorean Theorem.

CMAE 1506 Introduction to Computers, 2 credits
Provides essential, hands-on coverage of Microsoft Office suite programs, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.

CMAE 1510 Print Reading, 2 credits
Basic skills and abilities required for understanding prints utilized in a manufacturing environment will be gained. Emphasis will be on interpretation of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing symbols/principles, alphabet of lines, multi-view drawing (including orthographic projection, isometric views and perspective drawing), title blocks, revision systems, identification of general/local notes, dimensions and tolerances, basic principles of math/geometry in relation to mechanical print reading, interpretation of basic weld symbols, techniques of basic shop sketching and interpretation of three-dimensional drawings.

CMAE 1514 Safety Awareness, 2 credits
Introduction of OSHA standards relating to personal protective equipment, HAZMAT, tool safety, confined spaces, and others. The course curriculum is based upon federally-endorsed national standards for production workers.  This course is designed to align with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s (MSSC) assessment and certification system for Safety.

CMAE 1518 Manufacturing Processes and Production, 2 credits
Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing principles, basic supply chain management, communication skills, and customer service will be covered. This course is designed to align with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s (MSSC) assessment and certification system for Manufacturing Processes.

CMAE 1522 Quality Practices, 2 credits
Introduction to quality, including an emphasis on corrective actions, preventative actions, control of documents, control of quality records, internal auditing of processes, and control of the non-conforming product. This course is designed to align with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s (MSSC) assessment and certification system for Quality Practices.

CMAE 1526 Maintenance Awareness, 2 credits
Introduces the concepts of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), preventative maintenance, lubrication, electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics and power transmission systems. This course is designed to align with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s (MSSC) assessment and certification system for Maintenance Awareness.

CMAE 1560 Interpreting Symbols, 2 credits
The welding profession requires a good working knowledge of the fundamental component of welding prints that make up structures in the welding industry. To accurately layout and fabricate parts, the welder will need basic knowledge of print lines, dimensions, notes and welding symbols. The students will breakdown welding prints to develop the skills necessary to fabricate individual component parts that will make-up welded structures. Written and Fundamental tests will be administered in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) and the appropriate correlating code books.

CMAE 1562 Oxyfuel Welding, 3 credits, On-site lab
Covers the use of oxy-fuel equipment while welding, cutting, brazing, using Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) and Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A) processes, including thermal welding, laser cutting equipment and safety. Welds will be made in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. Cuts will be made in flat and horizontal positions. Written and fundamental tests will be done in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) codes and standards.

CMAE 1564 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), 3 credits, On-site lab
Covers shielded metal arc welding (SMAW or MIG) and associated power sources, process applications, electrode selection, overview of weld types and other work-related safety conditions in the welding field. Welds will be made in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. Written and fundamental tests will be done in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) codes and standards.

CMAE 1566 Gas Metal Arc Welding/Flux Cored Arc Welding, 3 credits, On-site lab
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) will be covered. Modes of transfer, shielding gases, electrodes and materials that can be welded will be taught, including visual inspections of welds. Lab time will be spent welding in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. Written and fundamental tests will be done in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) codes and standards.

CMAE 1568 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, 3 credits, On-site lab
Covers the safety hazards and applications for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), power sources, setup, types of current, current selection, shielding gases and torch types. Various procedures will be discussed for welding different metals (Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Mild Steel) and potential problems that may be encountered. Applications for the process in different industries, and the use of back purging and its application will also be discussed. Welds will be made in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. Written and fundamental tests will be done in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) codes and standards.

CMAE 1570 Metallurgy, 1 credit
Covers the study of metals and the effects of welding and heat treatments. Terminology dealing with metallurgy is an important part of the course. Physical and mechanical properties of ferrous and nonferrous metals along with the classifications of the different types of metals is covered. Students will gain an understanding of the range of usefulness of the materials in the metal working community. Written tests are completed in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) codes and standards.