Welding & Fabrication
APPLYCATALOGMyOCC

Welding & Fabrication Technology

Welding plays an important part in today's manufacturing world.

Work for NASCAR or on solar and wind farms. Or build space shuttles, bridges and much more. This program leads to a versatile Certificate in Welding Technology.

Get ready for a career as a welding technician. You will gain industry-specific knowledge and skills, including:

  • Ferrous and non-ferrous metals
  • Joint design
  • Practical applications
  • Welding terminology

Classes prepare you to take the examination for the American Welding Society SENSE Level 1 (Entry Level Welder) certification. 

Did you know?

The median age for welders is mid-fifties. Which means, in the next ten years, they will be retiring, and more welders will be needed to fill that void.

A welder that is highly skilled and trained can earn a salary similar to what doctors and lawyers make.

Traveling is a fun part of the welder's job. They can even find themselves working on a space station or deep in the ocean! 

The National Welding School Network

Scholarships

Charlie O., a welding student at the Auburn Hills campus

" Welding is helping me build my dreams ." - Charlie O., Auburn Hills

Eligibility Information

This program is offered on the Auburn Hills Campus.

Prospective students must meet standard OCC eligibility requirements – there is an open admissions policy and placement tests and new student orientation are required in most cases. Students should meet with an OCC counselor before attempting this plan of study.

Credential Received

A minimum cumulative 2.00 grade point average (GPA) overall is required for graduation. Graduates will receive a Welding Technology Certificate after successfully completing required coursework over three semesters and earning 35-36 course credits.

Certificate Program Plans

Career Information

With demand for skilled welders rising and the technology of welding becoming more advanced, especially where automation is concerned, students have a unique opportunity to learn a career that can be shaped around their interests.

Generally speaking, the more types of welding you master, the more you can earn. The median salary for a welder is around $50,000/year.

Source: Careers in Welding